Tao Te Ching - Section 39

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昔之得一者： Xī zhī dé yī zhě:	Those who of old possessed the One:
天得一以清； Tiān dé yī yǐ qīng;	The sky through unity is clear;
地得一以宁； Dì dé yī yǐ níng;	The earth through unity is firm;
神得一以灵； Shén dé yī yǐ líng;	The spirit through unity is powerful;
谷得一以盈； Gǔ dé yī yǐ yíng;	The valley through unity is abundant;
万物得一以生； Wànwù dé yī yǐ shēng;	The ten thousand things through unity flourish;
侯王得一以为天下正。 Hóuwáng dé yī yǐ wéi tiānxià zhèng.	Rulers through unity maintain justice.
其致之也， Qí zhì zhī yě,	When unity is lost,
天无以清， Tiān wú yǐ qīng,	The sky without clarity,
将恐裂； Jiāng kǒng liè;	Might shatter;
地无以宁， Dì wú yǐ níng,	The earth without firmness,
将恐废； Jiāng kǒng fèi;	Might dissolve;
神无以灵， Shén wú yǐ líng,	The spirit without power,
将恐歇； Jiāng kǒng xiē;	Might fail;
谷无以盈， Gǔ wú yǐ yíng,	The valley without abundance,
将恐竭； Jiāng kǒng jié;	Might dry up;
万物无以生， Wànwù wú yǐ shēng,	The ten thousand things without harmony,
将恐灭； Jiāng kǒng miè;	Might perish;
侯王无以贞， Hóuwáng wú yǐ zhēn,	Rulers without justice,
将恐蹶。 Jiāng kǒng jué.	Might fall.
故贵以贱为本， Gù guì yǐ jiàn wéi běn,	Thus, the noble is rooted in the humble,
高以下为基。 Gāo yǐ xià wéi jī.	The high is founded on the low.
是以侯王自称孤、寡、不谷。 Shì yǐ hóuwáng zì chēng gū, guǎ, bù gǔ.	Therefore, rulers call themselves "orphans," "widowers," "worthless."
此非以贱为本邪？ Cǐ fēi yǐ jiàn wéi běn yé?	Is this not to root themselves in humility?
非乎？ Fēi hū?	Indeed.
故致誉无誉。 Gù zhì yù wú yù.	Hence, achieving renown is without true glory.
是故不欲琭琭如玉， Shìgù bù yù lùlù rú yù,	Therefore, seek not to dazzle like jade,
珞珞如石。 Luòluò rú shí.	But to stand firm and simple like stone.