一孔录The video for this chapter is still in production. For now this page gives the original text, the facsimile page, a working translation and the commentary; the full reading follows when the video is out.
江海所以能為百谷王者，以其善下之，故能為百谷王。是以欲上民，必以言下之；欲先民，必以身後之。是以聖人處上而民不重，處前而民不害。是以天下樂推而不厭。以其不爭，故天下莫能與之爭。The rivers and the sea can be kings of the hundred valleys because they are good at staying below them; so they can be kings of the hundred valleys. Therefore one who wishes to be above the people must speak as if below them; one who wishes to lead the people must put himself behind them. So the sage is above, and the people do not feel his weight; he is in front, and the people do not feel harmed. So the world gladly pushes him forward and never tires of him. Because he does not contend, no one in the world can contend with him.
白Plain Chinese
江海之所以能成为百川之王，是因为它善于处在低下的地方，所以能成为百川之王。所以想要居于百姓之上，必须言辞上对他们谦下；想要居于百姓之前，必须把自身放在他们后面。所以圣人居于上位而百姓不觉得负担重，居于前面而百姓不觉得受害。所以天下人乐于推戴他而不厌倦。因为他不和人争，所以天下没有谁能和他争。
Draft plain-Chinese rendering following Wang Bi; it will be checked when the chapter is taught.
⇢Reading routes through this chapter
看Watch this chapter
The video for this chapter is in production and will appear here. Follow Yikonglu to see it first:YouTubeBilibili
Found an error in this chapter? Email us; once checked, it goes on the errata page under your username: 
