39 昔之得一者

老子道德經第三十九章

昔之得一者
天得一以清　地得一以寧
神得一以靈　谷得一以盈
萬物得一以生　侯王得一以為天下貞

其致之也
謂天無以清將恐裂　地無以寧將恐廢
神無以靈將恐歇　谷無以盈將恐竭
萬物無以生將恐滅　侯王無以正將恐蹶

故貴以賤為本　高以下為基
是以侯王自稱孤　寡　不穀
此非以賤為本邪　非乎
故致譽無譽
不欲琭琭如玉　珞珞如石

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THIRTY-NINE (Feng)

These things from ancient times arise from one:
The sky is whole and clear.
The earth is whole and firm.
The spirit is whole and strong.
The valley is whole and full.
The ten thousand things are whole and alive.
Kings and lords are whole, and the country is upright.
All these are in virtue of wholeness.

The clarity of the sky prevents its falling.
The firmness of the earth prevents its splitting.
The strength of the spirit prevents its being used up.
The fullness of the valley prevents its running dry.
The growth of the ten thousand things prevents their dying out.
The leadership of kings and lords prevents the downfall of the country.

Therefore the humble is the root of the noble.
The low is the foundation of the high.
Princes and lords consider themselves "orphaned," "windowed," and "worthless.:
Do they not depend on being humble?

Too much success is not an advantage.
Do not tinkle like jade
Or clatter like stone chimes.

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39. (ah san)

With Tao:
The Sky is clear, the Earth steady;
The Gods are alive, the Valleys lush;
Everything grows, Everyone prevails.

Without Tao:
The sky will split, the earth crack;
The gods go idle, the valleys arid;
All perish, all lost forever.

The noble roots in the base;
The high founds on the low;
The illustrious speak humble names.

Seeking honor brings nothing in the end.
Rather than try sparkling like the jade,
Be happy like a piece of natural rock.