The Wisdom of Water

智者應效法水的力量。

Wise man embodies the quality of water.

水雖柔順, 卻無堅不摧。

Water may seem yielding, but it obliterates all things.

水能熄火, 也能變成煙霧脫身。

Water puts out fire, so will it evaporate to escape.

水能沖走柔軟的泥土, 碰到岩石會繞道。

Water washes out pliant soil but digresses when stumbling upon a rock.

它能滲透大氣, 讓風止息。

It permeates into space and arrests the movement of wind.

水以偽裝的謙卑臣服於眼前的險阻,

It surrenders to the imminent danger in the guise of humility,

但沒有任何力量能阻止它流向大海。

But no greater power would hinder it from flowing towards the ocean.

水藉著臣服來征服;

Water relinquishes to conquer;

它從不主動攻擊,

It never initiates attack,

卻總能在最後的戰役中勝出。

But it always wins the battle at the end.

I found this prose a while ago from the internet, couldn't remember where the source was nor who the author is. I was very impressed by the truth and wisdom water embodies, so I've decided to use it as a daily reminder -- to remind myself to learn and embody such wisdom. I've also translated the original Chinese text into English to share with all my friends.

Dechen Khandro in San Jose