Law's root

 

Of old those who attained unity the ones [are]:

Heaven attained unity,

thereby it is clear.

Earth attained unity, 

thereby it is peaceful.

Spirit attained unity,

thereby it is mental.

Valleys attained  unity

thereby they are filled.

The ten thousand things attained unity,

thereby they have life,

Princes [and] kings attained unity,

thereby they become the world's standard.

That which produces it [is] unity, indeed.

Heaven were it not thereby clear,

it would presumably crack.

Earth, were it not thereby steady,

it would presumably break down.

Spirits are they not thereby mental,

they would presumably give out 

Valleys, were they not thereby filled,

they would presumably be exhausted.

The ten thousand things were they not thereby having life,

they would presumably be exterminated. 

Princes [and] kings were they not thereby the standard,

but esteemed themselves high,

they would presumably fall.

Therefore the noble from the commoners take [their] root.

The high upon the low have [their] foundation.

Therefore Princes [and] kings themselves call orphans, widowers, and [and] unworthies.

[Is] this [because] they from the commoners take their root?

[Is it] not so?

Therefore let go to pieces a carriage [wheel],

it is no [longer] a carriage [wheel].

[Unities] do not desire to be respected,

[and] respected like a gem to be let down

[and] let down like a stone.