Tao Te Ching
by Lao Tze

23

1. Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity

of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a

sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these

(two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth

cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!

2. Therefore when one is making the Tao his business, those who are

also pursuing it, agree with him in it, and those who are making the

manifestation of its course their object agree with him in that; while

even those who are failing in both these things agree with him where

they fail.

3. Hence, those with whom he agrees as to the Tao have the happiness

of attaining to it; those with whom he agrees as to its manifestation

have the happiness of attaining to it; and those with whom he agrees

in their failure have also the happiness of attaining (to the Tao).

(But) when there is not faith sufficient (on his part), a want of

faith (in him) ensues (on the part of the others).