聚会日期： 2013 年 1 月 3 日， 12 点 (下次聚会时我们需要商定2013年的时间安排，看看是否可以每周2次)
探讨内容： the mystery of totality
帛本：
昔之得一者，天得一以清，地得一以宁，神得一以灵，谷得一以盈，侯王得一而以为天下正。其至之也，谓天毋已清将恐裂，谓地毋已宁将恐发，谓神毋已灵将恐歇，谓谷毋已盈将恐竭，谓侯王毋已贵以高将恐蹶。故必贵而以贱为本，必高矣而以下为基。夫是以侯王自谓孤，寡，不谷。此其贱之本舆，非也？故致数与无与。是故不欲禄禄若玉，硌硌若石 。
参照其他本（通行本 39 章）：
昔之得一者，天得一以清；地得一以宁；神得一以灵；谷得一以盈，万物得一以生；候王得一以为天下正。其致之也，谓天无以清，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；候王无以正，将恐蹶。故贵以贱为本，高以下为基。是以候王自称孤、寡、不谷。此非以贱为本邪？非乎？故至誉无誉。是故不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。
英文对照：
39.1 These in the past have attained wholeness: Heaven attains wholeness with its clarity; The Earth attains wholeness with its firmness; The Spirit attains wholeness with its transcendence;
39.2 The Valley attain wholeness when filled; The Myriad Things attain wholeness in life; The Ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.
39.3 In effecting this: If Heaven lacked clarity it would be divided; If the Earth lacked firmness it would fly away; If the spirit lacked transcendence it would be exhausted;
39.4 If the valley lacked fullness it would be depleted; If the myriad things lacked life they would vanish. If the ruler lacks nobility and loftiness he will be tripped up.
39.5 Hence Nobility has lowliness as its root The High has the Low as its base.
39.6 Thus the kings call themselves "the orphan, the lowly, the unworthy." Is this not taking lowliness as the fundamental? Isn't it?
39.7
39.8 In this way you can bring about great effect without burden. Not desiring the rarity of gems Or the manyness of grains of sand.
另一英文版本翻译
39.1 From ancient times these have attained oneness with Tao: Heaven attained oneness and became clear. Earth attained oneness and became peaceful. Spirits attained oneness and became strong.
39.2 Valleys attained oneness and became full. Beings attained oneness and became fertile. All are what they are by virtue of oneness.
39.3 Heaven without clarity would fall. Earth without peace would explode. Spirits without strength would dissipate.
39.4 Valleys without fullness would dry up. Beings without fertility would die off. Sages without wholeness would stumble and fall.
39.5 Humility is the root of greatness.
39.6 Those in high positions do well to think of themselves as powerless, small and unworthy. Isn't this taking humility for the root?
39.7 Attain honour without being honoured.
39.8 Don't shine like jade, or chime like bells.
