Chapter 38

Index
In ancient times, those who attained the One: Heaven attained the One and became clear; Earth attained the One and became stable; spirits attained the One and became divine; valleys attained the One and became full; myriad creatures attained the One and came to life; lords and kings attained the One and became the standard for the world.
Taken to extremes: Heaven without clarity would risk splitting apart; Earth without stability would risk erupting; spirits without divinity would risk fading away; valleys without fullness would risk drying up; myriad creatures without life would risk extinction; lords and kings without nobility and elevation would risk toppling.
Therefore, the noble takes the humble as its root; the high takes the low as its foundation.
Thus, rulers and kings refer to themselves as 'the orphaned', 'the widowed', and 'the unworthy'.
Is this not taking lowliness as the root?
Is it not so?
Therefore, bring about infrequent praise and no praise.
Do not desire to be polished like jade, nor rough like stone.