--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The supreme good is like water, which…" description: "\"The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/laozi-147_all-things_the-supreme-good-is-like-water-which-nou_1286935.jpg" --- # The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things… ![“The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/laozi-147_all-things_the-supreme-good-is-like-water-which-nou_1286935.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/laozi-147_all-things_the-supreme-good-is-like-water-which-nou_1286935.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/laozi-147_all-things_the-supreme-good-is-like-water-which-nou_1286935.jpg) > “The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage describes the ideal of effortless harmony: like water, one should be humble, simple, generous, and avoid forceful control, leading to natural respect and fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Live simply, humble, and generous like water. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and natural flow. Themes humility simplicity harmony leadership contentment Mood calm reflective inspirational Type philosophical ethical spiritual When to use this quote - personal life - leadership - conflict resolution - career choices - family dynamics Key Concepts Taoism wu‑wei non‑action natural order Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice humility without neglecting self‑advocacy? - When does gentle influence become ineffective? A Different Perspective May be misinterpreted as endorsing passivity, ignoring necessary assertiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-things/) [Compare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compare/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Disdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disdain/) [Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Fairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairs/) [Family life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-life/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Governing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Life Completely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-completely/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Like Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-tao-1669617/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Supreme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supreme/) [Supreme Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supreme-good-574085/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Tao Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-dwelling-4178625/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-know-don-t-talk-those-who-talk-don-t-know-close-your-mouth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Supreme good is like water. Water greatly benefits all things, without conflict. It flows through places that people loathe. Thereby it is close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/supreme-good-is-like-water-water-greatly-benefits-all-things-without/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Who can free himself from achievement And from fame, descend and be lost Amid the masses of men? 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And joy is: response to happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-pieper/the-supreme-good-and-its-attainment-that-is-happiness-and-joy-is/) [Josef Pieper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-pieper/) > [There is a difference between happiness, the supreme good, and the final end or goal toward which our actions ought to tend. 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The only God that is of use is a being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/in-religion-above-all-things-the-only-thing-of-use-is-an-objective/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [The supreme good of life is vitality. And vitality is always seeping away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-unger/the-supreme-good-of-life-is-vitality-and-vitality-is-always-seeping/) [Roberto Unger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-unger/) > [The science that studies the supreme good for man is politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-science-that-studies-the-supreme-good-for-man-is-politics/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Tranquil pleasure constitutes human beings' supreme good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/tranquil-pleasure-constitutes-human-beings-supreme-good/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. 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Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? 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That's my motto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bretton/moderation-honey-in-all-things-but-love-and-chocolate-that-s-my-motto/) [Barbara Bretton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bretton/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. 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