其致之，天无以清将恐裂，地无以宁将恐废，神无以灵将恐歇，谷无以盈将恐竭，万物无以生将恐灭，侯王无以贵高将恐蹶。
It is the Whole that causes it. #2Were it not so limpid, the sky would soon get torn, were it not for steadiness, the earth would soon tip over, were it not for their holiness, the spirit would soon wither away. #3 Were it not for this replenishment, the abyss would soon go dry, were it not that ten thousand creatures can bear their kind, they would soon become extinct. #4Were the barons and princes no longer directors of their people and for that reason honored and exalted, they would soon be overthrown.
故贵以贱为本，高以下为基。
Truly , the humble is the stem upon which the mighty grows, the low is the foundation upon which the high is laid.
是以侯王自称孤﹑寡﹑不谷。
That is why barons and princes refer to themselves as “The Orphan”, “The Needy” , “The Ill-provided”.
此非以贱为本邪﹖
Is this not indeed a case of might rooting itself upon humility?
故致数舆无舆，不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。
True indeed are the sayings: “enumerate the parts of a carriage, and you still have not explained what a carriage is; and they did not want themselves to tinkle like jade-bells, while others resounded like stone chimes.”