River and sea for a reason become a hundred valleys’ king, is that the

後己 · Hòu Jǐ

Classical Chinese Text

江海之所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，故能为百谷王。是以圣人欲上民，必以言下之；欲先民，必以身后之。是以圣人处上而民不重，处前而民不害。是以天下乐推而不厌。以其不争，故天下莫能与之争。

Translation & Meaning

River and sea for a reason become a hundred valleys’ king, is that they are good at lowering themselves, this is how they can become a hundred valleys’ king. This is why (when) a sage desires to rise above people, (she) must speak (humbly) by lowering herself; to lead them, (she) must place (her) body behind them. This is why a sage sits above yet people are not burdened , stands in front yet people are not harmed. This is why all that is under heaven is keen on choosing (her) and not tired (of her). Because of her not being rival, all that is under heaven could not be her rival.

Linguistic & Character Analysis

  • 江 (jiāng): classical character (jiāng)
  • 海 (hǎi): classical character (hǎi)
  • 之 (zhī): particle: of / possessive / it
  • 所 (suǒ): place / frontier / that which
  • 以 (yǐ): in order to / by means of
  • 能 (néng): fruitful / capacity / ability
  • 为 (wèi): act / deem / become
  • 百 (bǎi): classical character (bǎi)
  • 谷 (gǔ): classical character (gǔ)
  • 王 (wáng): classical character (wáng)
  • 者 (zhě): aspects / those who / things
  • 其 (qí): its / their / his / her
  • 善 (shàn): goodness / skillful / kind
  • 下 (xià): under / earthly realm / humble
  • 故 (gù): therefore / thus / consequence
  • 是 (shì): this / therefore
  • 圣 (shèng): sage / enlightened one
  • 人 (rén): person / human
  • 欲 (yù): intent / desire / craving
  • 上 (shàng): elevate / utmost / high
  • 民 (mín): classical character (mín)
  • 必 (bì): classical character (bì)
  • 言 (yán): words / speech
  • 先 (xiān): before / front
  • 身 (shēn): classical character (shēn)
  • 后 (hòu): after / behind
  • 处 (chù): stays / dwells / position
  • 而 (ér): yet / and / but
  • 不 (bù): not / un- / without
  • 重 (zhòng): classical character (zhòng)
  • 前 (qián): classical character (qián)
  • 害 (hài): classical character (hài)
  • 天 (tiān): heaven / nature / cosmos
  • 乐 (lè): classical character (lè)
  • 推 (tuī): classical character (tuī)
  • 厌 (yàn): classical character (yàn)
  • 争 (zhēng): compete / contend / rival
  • 莫 (mò): classical character (mò)
  • 与 (yǔ): classical character (yǔ)