39 – Tao Te Ching

These are who have obtained Tao in the past:

Heaven obtained Tao and became clear,

Earth obtained Tao and became tranquil,

The spiritual being obtained Tao and became divine,

The land obtained Tao and became abundant,

Everything obtained Tao and flourished,

Kings obtained Tao and became rulers.

On the other hand:

If Heaven is not clear,

it will split.

If Earth is not tranquil,

it will crumble.

If a spiritual being is not divine,

he/she will wither.

If the land is not abundant,

it will dry out.

If everything is not flourished,

they will become extinct.

If kings can not be honorable,

they will fall.

Therefore, humility is the basis of honor,

the low is the foundation of the high.

For this reason, kings call themselves “orphans”,

“lonely”, and “unworthy”

These names are all related to humility, are they not?

Thus the highest honor does not need praise,

So do not strive to be a shining jade,

and instead be as a common rock.

In ancient China, kings call themselves: “orphan” like a kid without parents, “lonely” like a man without wife; unworthy like a man without food to be humble.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Edited By N&R Wang