Verse 39 From ancient times till now the One has been the source of all attainments By realizing

the One Heaven becomes clear, Earth becomes still spirits gain power and hearts fill up with joy By realizing the One kings and lords become instruments of peace and all creatures live joyfully upon this earth Without the One Heaven has no clarity and would crack Earth has no peace and would crumble spirits have no power and would lose their charm Without the One hearts would dry up, empires would fall, all things would go lifelessly upon this earth Long ago kings and lords called themselves orphaned, lonely, and unworthy What honor can there be without humility? What heights can be reached without being low? The pieces of a chariot are useless unless they work in accordance with the whole universe Playing one's part in accordance with the universe is true humility So whether you're a gem in the royal court or a stone on the common path If you accept your part with humility the glory of the universe will be yours taken directly from Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition. Lao Tzu; Translation and Commentary by Jonathan Star. New York, New York: Penguin Group Inc. I love this translation of the Laotze, or Old Man.