“The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place;”

“The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike.”

“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.”

“And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.”

“In this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them.”

“If you want to lead them you must place yourself behind them.”

“Therefore the place of what is firm and strong is below, and that of what is soft and weak is above.”