The one who knows how to build is not afraid of collapse; the one who knows how to conserve does not fear losing. If his family follows the same practices, the family heritage will last forever.
If a man cultivates the Tao within himself, his virtue is genuine. If he cultivates it in his family, his virtue will become superabundant. If he cultivates it in the village, his virtue will become widespread. If he cultivates it in the kingdom, his virtue will flourish. If he cultivates it in the empire, his virtue will become universal.
Therefore, according to myself, I get idea of other persons; according to my family, I get idea of other families; according to my village, I get idea of other villages; according to my kingdom I get idea of other kingdoms; according to my empire, I get idea of other empires.
How do I know the empire is so ? By this way.