Tao Te Ching Chapter 39

 

There were those in ancient times possessed of the One;

Through possession of the One, the Heaven was clarified,

Through possession of the One, The Earth was stabilized,

Through possession of the One, the gods were spiritualized,

Through possession of the One, the valleys were made full,

Through possession of the One, all things lived and grew,

Through possession of the One, the princes and dukes

becamethe ennobled of the people.

- that was how each became so.

 

Without clarity, the Heavens would shake,

Without stability, the Earth would quake,

Without spiritual power, the gods would crumble,

Without being filled, the valleys would crack,

Without the life-giving power, all things would perish,

Without the ennobling power, the princes and dukes would stumble.

therefore the nobility depend upon the common man for support,

And the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.

 

That is why the princes and dukes call themselves

'the orphaned,' 'the lonely one,' 'the unworthy.'

Is is not true then that they depend upon the common man for support?

Truly, take down the parts of a chariot,

And there is no chariot (left).

Rather than jingle like the jade,

Rumble like the rocks.