--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The highest excellence is like (that of)…" description: "\"“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.”\" — Lao Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg" --- # The highest excellence is like (that of) water. ![“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg) > ““The highest excellence is like (that of) water.”” [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excellence flows naturally, adapting like water, without force or resistance. **In simple terms:** Excellence is natural and adaptable like water. Key Takeaway Follow the path of ease and adaptability. Themes humility adaptability natural flow wisdom Mood calm thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - leadership - personal growth - conflict resolution - team dynamics Key Concepts Taoism philosophy effortless action Questions to Reflect On - When is force necessary? - How to balance softness and strength? A Different Perspective Water can be too passive, lacking assertiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Excellence Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence-like-3436830/) [Highest Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest-excellence-2618123/) [Like Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-water/) [River](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/river/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [“And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/and-when-one-with-the-highest-excellence-does-not-wrangle-about-his/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [If happiness is activity in accordance with excellence, it is reasonable that it should be in accordance with the highest excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/if-happiness-is-activity-in-accordance-with-excellence-it-is/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [I always tell the kids that excellence is like pregnancy. You can't be a little bit pregnant. You either are or you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafe-esquith/i-always-tell-the-kids-that-excellence-is-like-pregnancy-you-can-t-be/) [Rafe Esquith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafe-esquith/) > [Trying to compromise EXCELLENCE, is like trying to let a little bit of air out of a balloon with a hat pin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-r-scoggin/trying-to-compromise-excellence-is-like-trying-to-let-a-little-bit-of/) [Daniel R. Scoggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-r-scoggin/) > [A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-s-excellence-is-like-that-of-water-it-benefits-all-things/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Be like water.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/be-like-water/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“I see that if you try to fit someone in a box, she might slip through the seams like water and become her own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-resau/i-see-that-if-you-try-to-fit-someone-in-a-box-she-might-slip-through/) [Laura Resau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-resau/) > [Life is not like water. Things in life don't necessarily flow over the shortest possible route.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/life-is-not-like-water-things-in-life-don-t-necessarily-flow-over-the/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“Life is colourless like water.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/life-is-colourless-like-water/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Always be like a water. Float in the times of pain or dance like waves along the wind which touches its surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santosh-kalwar/always-be-like-a-water-float-in-the-times-of-pain-or-dance-like-waves/) [Santosh Kalwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santosh-kalwar/) > [“We made love like water makes life, and thinking about it makes me so horny I’m thirsty. My cup runneth over, but if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/we-made-love-like-water-makes-life-and-thinking-about-it-makes-me-so/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I need you like water, like breath, like rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-need-you-like-water-like-breath-like-rain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like the water of a deep stream, love is always too much. We did not make it. Though we drink till we burst, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/like-the-water-of-a-deep-stream-love-is-always-too-much-we-did-not/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [In the road ships must ride in 30, 40, or 50 fathom water, not above half a mile from the shore at farthest: and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dampier/in-the-road-ships-must-ride-in-30-40-or-50-fathom-water-not-above/) [William Dampier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dampier/) > [One of the unique things is that whether we were out at sea or in the middle of the water tank, a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-reilly/one-of-the-unique-things-is-that-whether-we-were-out-at-sea-or-in-the/) [John C. Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-reilly/) ## More by Lao Tzu > [“This is how they are able to continue and endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-how-they-are-able-to-continue-and-endure/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Gravity is the root of lightness;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/gravity-is-the-root-of-lightness/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/not-seeking-not-expecting-she-is-present-and-can-welcome-all-things/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/just-remain-in-the-center-watching-and-then-forget-that-you-are-there/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. If you boast, you will have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-show-yourself-you-will-not-be-seen-if-you-affirm-yourself-you/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-thirty-spokes-unite-in-the-one-nave-but-it-is-on-the-empty-space/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/to-know-and-yet-think-we-do-not-know-is-the-highest-attainment-not-to/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious, you are living in the present; if you are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-are-depressed-you-are-living-in-the-past-if-you-are-anxious/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-without-a-name-is-free-from-all-external-aim-with-no/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-gold-and-jade-fill-the-hall-their-possessor-cannot-keep-them-safe/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-listen-to-it-and-we-do-not-hear-it-and-we-name-it-the-inaudible/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) [Explore all 434 Lao Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## More Excellence quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/quality-means-doing-it-right-when-no-one-is-looking/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-cannot-all-be-masters-nor-all-masters-cannot-be-truly-followed/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Leadership, pure and simple, is the assumption of responsibility for the pursuit of excellence in group life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-selznick/leadership-pure-and-simple-is-the-assumption-of-responsibility-for/) [Philip Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-selznick/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Browse all 4,187 Excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lao Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-water/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excellence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-water/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc5/lao-tzu-624_excellence_the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-w_1177026.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.” — Lao Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lao Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The highest excellence is like (that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-water/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-highest-excellence-is-like-that-of-water/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```