The Tao needs to advance by retreating

Those who in ancient times obtained the One—that is, the Tao—were changed by it:

Heaven obtained the One and became clear.  
Earth obtained the One and became stable.  
Spirits obtained the One and became wondrously alive.  
Valleys obtained the One and became full.  
All things obtained the One and came to life.  
Rulers and lords obtained the One and brought peace to the world.

To put it another way:

If Heaven cannot stay clear, it may split apart.  
If Earth cannot stay stable, it may collapse.  
If spirits cannot stay wondrously alive, they may fade away.  
If valleys cannot stay full, they may run dry.  
If all things cannot live and grow, they may die out.  
If rulers and lords cannot bring peace to the world, they may be overthrown.

So the noble has the lowly as its root, and the high has the low as its foundation.  
That is why rulers and lords call themselves “the orphan,” “the lonely one,” and “the unworthy one.”  
Is this not taking the lowly as the root? Is it not?

The highest praise is no praise.  
So do not wish to sparkle like jade.  
Better to be plain and solid like stone.