夫勢失則權傾，故天子失道則諸侯尊矣，諸侯失政則大夫起矣，大夫失官則庶人興矣。
When the tide grows weak, let us note, authority topples; hence, when the Son of Heaven fails to practice the Way, the status of the vassal lords is exalted; when the vassal lords fail to govern effectively, their court officers rise in prominence; and, when the court officers fail to carry out their functions, the common people come to the fore.
由是觀之，上不失而下得者，未嘗有也。
From this, one can see that those who hold low positions cannot gain power until those in high positions fail to rule effectively.