In the state of the nameless uncarved block, Men also would be without-desire. Not desiring, thus they would be still – And the world would naturally settle. Thirty nine Of those who in ancient times attained oneness : Heaven attained oneness, thus becoming pure and clear. Earth attained oneness, thus becoming stable. Spirit attained oneness, thus becoming potent. The valley attained oneness, thus becoming full. The ten thousand creatures attained oneness, thus becoming alive. Nobles and kings attained oneness, thus serving the world faithfully. They attained it. If heaven could not use its purity and clarity, I fear it would split apart. If earth could not use its stability, I fear it would erupt. If spirit could not use its potency, I fear it would cease to be. If the valley could not use its fullness, I fear it would be used up. If the ten thousand creatures could not use their life, I fear they would be destroyed. If nobles and kings could not use their high rank and prominence, I fear they would fall. Therefore : humility thus serves as the source of high rank; Low thus serves as the foundation of high. Thus nobles and kings call themselves orphaned, lonely, and unlucky. Does this not mean that humility thus serves as the source? Does it not? Therefore : to attain exceptional popularity is to be without popularity – Do not desire to be scarce like jade, But common like rock. Forty one The superior scholar hearing of Dao works hard and practices it. The average scholar hearing of Dao seems to keep it, seems to lose it. The inferior scholar hearing of Dao laughs greatly at it. If he did not laugh, it would not be qualified to be Dao. Therefore : in the established sayings that exist, it is said – Insight into Dao seems like darkness. Advancing in Dao seems like retreating. Smooth Dao seems knotted. Superior De seems like a valley. The greatest purity seems like disgrace. The most extensive De seems like it is not enough. Established De seems aimless. Real and true character seems inconsistent. The greatest region is without borders. The greatest vessel is last to be completed. The greatest tone is a tenuous sound. The greatest image is without-form. Dao is hidden and without-name. Now : only Dao is good at beginning and also good at completing. Forty four Fame and self : which do you love? Self and property : which is greater? Gain and loss : which is the affliction? Extreme desire must lead to great expense. Collecting too much must lead to substantial loss. Knowing when you have enough, there can be no disgrace. Knowing when to stop, there can be no danger. Then you can forever endure. Fifty one