Verse 23 by Lao Zi: 希言自然。故飘风不终朝，骤雨不终日，孰为此者？天地。天地尚不能久，而况于人乎？故从事于道者同于道；德者同于德；失者同于失。同于道者，道亦乐得之；同于德者，德亦乐得之；同于失者，失亦乐得之。信不足焉，有不信焉！
Sparse words are natural.
Therefore, a whirlwind does not last the morning,
A sudden downpour does not last the day.
Who causes this? Heaven and Earth.
If even Heaven and Earth cannot sustain excess,
How much less can human beings?
Therefore, those who follow the Dao are aligned with the Dao.
Those who follow virtue are aligned with virtue.
Those who lose the way are aligned with loss.
Those aligned with the Dao — the Dao is glad to receive them.
Those aligned with virtue — virtue is glad to receive them.
Those aligned with loss — loss is glad to receive them.
When trust is lacking, there will be no trust.
[Written by ChatGPT]
🌬️ 1. Sparse Speech: Living in Harmony with the Dao
“希言自然” — “Sparse speech is natural.”
Laozi begins with a statement about speech — or rather, the lack of it. In Daoism, truth does not require embellishment. Nature does not boast or explain; it simply acts in accordance with what is. Thus, sparse speech is a sign of inner stillness and harmony with the Dao.
This isn’t just about talking less — it’s about:
- Speaking only what is needed
- Letting silence convey trust
- Avoiding performative communication that erodes authenticity
🌧️ 2. Storms Don’t Last: The Unsustainability of Extremes
“Whirlwinds don’t last the morning; sudden rains don’t last the day.”
This image connects to speech. Big, dramatic expression — like a storm — burns out quickly. It may capture attention, but it cannot be sustained. In contrast, quietness endures.
This teaches us that natural, grounded behavior is sustainable, while exaggeration — in action, speech, or identity — leads to burnout or loss.
🌀 3. Alignment: Dao, Virtue, or Loss
“Those aligned with Dao, align with Dao.
Those aligned with loss, align with loss.”
Here, Laozi introduces a key teaching: you become what you align with.
If your orientation is toward Dao (the natural, unforced way), you flourish.
If you pursue only appearances, control, or drama, you align with loss — disconnection, confusion, and decay.
This directly links to speech:
- If you speak with authenticity, you align with Dao.
- If you speak falsely or manipulatively, you align with distortion — and ultimately, loss.
🤝 4. Trust and Reciprocity
“信不足焉，有不信焉。” — “When trust is insufficient, there is no trust.”
This closing line pulls it all together. It highlights the relational consequence of misalignment:
- If your words don’t match your essence, people will not trust you.
- If you speak too much, too forcefully, or too strategically, people will sense the lack of sincerity.
- When you lack trust — in the Dao, in others, in yourself — that mistrust echoes outward.
So, just like storms, loudness, or ego-driven striving, mistrust cannot last. It collapses under its own weight.
希言自然。
Xī yán zì rán.
Sparse speech is natural.
故飘风不终朝，骤雨不终日，孰为此者？天地。
Gù piāo fēng bù zhōng zhāo, zhòu yǔ bù zhōng rì, shú wéi cǐ zhě? Tiān dì.
Therefore, a whirlwind does not last the morning,
A sudden downpour does not last the day.
Who causes this? Heaven and Earth.
天地尚不能久，而况于人乎？
Tiān dì shàng bù néng jiǔ, ér kuàng yú rén hū?
If even Heaven and Earth cannot last in excess,
How much less can humans?
故从事于道者同于道；德者同于德；失者同于失。
Gù cóng shì yú Dào zhě tóng yú Dào; Dé zhě tóng yú Dé; shī zhě tóng yú shī.
Therefore, those who follow the Dao are aligned with the Dao;
Those who follow virtue are aligned with virtue;
Those who lose the way are aligned with loss.
同于道者，道亦乐得之；
Tóng yú Dào zhě, Dào yì lè dé zhī;
Those aligned with the Dao — the Dao gladly receives them.
同于德者，德亦乐得之；
Tóng yú Dé zhě, Dé yì lè dé zhī;
Those aligned with virtue — virtue gladly receives them.
同于失者，失亦乐得之。
Tóng yú shī zhě, shī yì lè dé zhī.
Those aligned with loss — loss gladly receives them.
信不足焉，有不信焉。
Xìn bù zú yān, yǒu bù xìn yān.
When trust is lacking, there is no trust.
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