Those who attained the One in the past: Xi means "past" or "former times". One, non-action, is the son of Dao. Heaven attains One to become clear; meaning that Heaven obtains One and thus can display a clear and distinct celestial image. Earth attains One to achieve tranquility; meaning that Earth obtains One, hence it can remain peaceful and undisturbed. The spirits attain One to become spiritual; meaning that the spirits obtain One, thus they can transform without form. Valleys attain One to become full; meaning that valleys obtain One, hence they can be filled and never cease. All things attain One to come into being; meaning all things must rely on Dao for their generation and existence. Dukes and kings attaining One can thus maintain the uprightness of the world; meaning that dukes and kings obtain One, hence they are able to bring peace and righteousness to the world. Heaven, if it does not maintain clarity, will be in danger of splitting apart; meaning that Heaven should have the balance of yin and yang with alternating relaxation and tension, day and night taking turns. It cannot merely remain clear and bright without end, for this would lead to division and no longer function as Heaven. Earth, if it does not remain tranquil, will be in danger of erupting; meaning that Earth should have variations in height and softness, with seasonal qi and the Five Elements.

It cannot merely stay peaceful without end, for this would result in outbursts and no longer function as Earth. The spirits, if they do not remain spiritual, will be in danger of ceasing to function; meaning that the spirits should have cycles of dominance, activity, confinement, death, rest, and decline. They cannot merely transform endlessly without pause, for this would lead them to become inactive and no longer serve as spirits. Valleys, if they do not maintain fullness, will be in danger of drying up; meaning that valleys should have cycles of abundance and scarcity, fullness and emptiness. They cannot remain perpetually filled without end, for this would cause them to wither and no longer function as valleys. All things, if they do not sustain life, will be in danger of extinction; meaning that all things should follow the natural cycle of birth and death. They cannot merely seek eternal life without end, for this would risk annihilation and no longer exist as things. Dukes and kings, if they do not uphold their noble status with humility, will be in danger of downfall; meaning that dukes and kings should humble themselves to lead others, diligently seeking the wise. They cannot merely desire perpetual superiority over others without end, for this will risk falling from power and losing their position. Therefore, nobility takes humility as its foundation; meaning that if one must attain honor and rank, it should be based on lowliness. For example, Yu and Ji personally tilled the fields, Shun made pottery by the Yellow River, and Duke of Zhou humbled himself before commoners. Height takes the low as its foundation; meaning that if one must achieve high status, it should be built upon a humble base, just as building a wall starts from the low and rises upward. If the lower part is not solid, the structure will inevitably collapse later on.

Therefore, dukes and kings refer to themselves as "Gu," "Gua," or "Bu Gu." "Gu" and "Gua" symbolize solitude, while "Bu Gu" implies being unable to function like a chariot hub that gathers many spokes. Is this not taking humility as the foundation? Meaning that dukes and kings, being of supreme honor and rank, can refer to themselves with terms like "Gu" or "Gua," which denote solitude and fewness. Is this not taking lowliness as the foundation in order to enlighten people? An expression of lamentation or exclamation. Therefore, the highest honor is no honor at all; Zhi means "to attain" or "to approach"; meaning that when people examine a cart, they speak of its spokes, wheels, hub, crossbar, and body — none is named as "cart" — thus it becomes a cart. This serves to illustrate how dukes and kings do not name themselves with titles of honor; thus, they can achieve true nobility. They do not wish to be as precious as jade or as prominent as stone. "Lu lu" symbolizes rarity, while "luo luo" symbolizes abundance. Jade is rare and thus considered precious; stone is abundant and therefore regarded as lowly. It means that one should not desire to be like jade, which is valued by people, or like stone, which is despised. One should instead remain in the middle path.