Here are the things that once obtained the Tao*.
The sky is pure because it has obtained the Tao. The earth finds stillness because it has obtained the Tao. Spirits are endowed with divine power because they have obtained the Tao. The valleys fill with water because they have obtained the Tao. Beings of the world are born because they have obtained the Tao. The princes and kings become the models of the world because they have obtained the Tao.
This is what the Tao has produced.
If the sky lost its purity, it would fall apart; If the earth lost its stillness, it would crumble; If the spirits lost their divine power, they would disappear; If the valleys no longer filled with water, they would dry up; If beings were no longer born, they would be extinguished; If princes and kings ceased to be righteous rulers, they would be overthrown.
This is why the nobles regard the commoner as their origin; people in high places are founded on subordinates.
So that princes and kings call themselves orphans, men of little merit, men devoid of capacity.
Do they not thereby show that they regard commoner as their true origin? Isn’t it ?
Therefore, the highest distinction is to have no distinction. It is better not to look for wonders like jade, but rather insignificant ones like pebbles.
* "一" (The One) here indicates another nickname of the Tao.