上善若水任方圆

上善若水任方圓

shàng shàn ruò shuǐ rèn fāng yuán

quotation

Meanings

1 the highest good is like water, taking whatever shape it must
2 expansion on Laozi's 上善若水 - water conforms to round or square containers without losing itself

Characters

Examples

HSK 3

上善若水任方圆，是他做外交工作的信条。

Shàngshànruòshuǐrènfāngyuán, shì tā zuò wàijiāo gōngzuò de xìntiáo.

'The highest good is like water, taking any shape' is the creed of his diplomatic work.

HSK 4

做人要上善若水任方圆，既坚持原则又懂变通。

Zuòrén yào shàngshànruòshuǐrènfāngyuán, jì jiānchí yuánzé yòu dǒng biàntōng.

Live like 'the highest good - water, taking whatever shape needed': keep your principles but stay flexible.

Tips

history

The first four characters 上善若水 come from 《道德经》 ch. 8 (Laozi): 上善若水。水善利万物而不争. The added 任方圆 is a later elaboration widely used in calligraphy and modern quotation, meaning water lets the container determine its shape without losing its nature.

usage

任 here = 'let / allow,' not 'responsibility.' 方圆 = 'square or round,' i.e. whatever form the container imposes.

Stroke Order

上 shàng

善 shàn

若 ruò

水 shuǐ

任 rèn

方 fāng

圆 yuán