Welcome back to The Wisdom of Lao Tzu.
We are reading chapter 23 of Tao Te Ching this week.
Lao Tzu conveys a rather dire warning to individuals bent on deviating from the Tao to indulge in overreach, which can eventually lead to their self-destruction.
More importantly, we can infer three life principles to refine and elevate our existence in this life.
Let’s dive in.
**23**
希言自然。故飄風不終朝，驟雨不終日。
孰為此者？天地。
天地尚不能久，而況於人乎？
故從事於道者，道者同於道，德者同於德，失者同於失。
同於道者，道亦樂得之；同於德者，德亦樂得之；
同於失者，失亦樂得之。
信不足焉，有不信焉。
Border-crossing: English translations
#1 Lin Yutang’s version
Nature says few words:
Hence it is that a squall lasts not a whole morning.
A rainstorm continues not a whole day.
Where do they come from?
From Nature.
Even Nature does not last long (in its utterances),
How much less should human beings?
Therefore it is that:
He who follows the Tao is identified with the Tao.
He who follows Character (Teh) is identified with Character.
He who abandons (Tao) is identified with abandonment (of Tao).
He who is identified with Tao-
Tao is also glad to welcome him.
He who is identified with Character —
Character is also glad to welcome him.
He who is identified with abandonment—
Abandonment is also glad to welcome him.
He who has not enough faith
Will not be able to command faith from others.
#2 Edmund Ryden’s version
Silent of speech is nature’s course.
Therefore a typhoon does not last all morning; Pounding rain does not last all day.
Who makes them? Heaven and earth.*
Yet if heaven and earth cannot make them last, Then how much less can men do so?
Therefore,
For one who acts according to the Way:
The Way-farer becomes one with the Way:
The grower becomes one with the life force.
The loser becomes one with the knife force.
For one who is one with the Way, the Way likewise is happy to have him;
For one who is one with the life force, the life force likewise is happy to have him;
For one who is one with the knife force, the knife force likewise is happy to have him.
[When trustworthiness is lacking, then there is lack of trust.1
#3 D. C. Lau’s version
To use words but rarely
Is to be natural.
Hence a gusty wind cannot last all morning, and a sudden downpour cannot last all day. Who is it that produces these? Heaven and earth. If even heaven and earth cannot go on for ever, much less can man. That is why one follows the way.
A man of the way conforms to the way; a man of virtue conforms to virtue; a man of loss conforms to loss. He who conforms to the way is gladly accepted by the way; he who conforms to virtue is gladly accepted by virtue; he who conforms to loss is gladly accepted by loss.
When there is not enough faith, there is lack of good faith.2
Deeper dive
Lao Tzu has a hidden message in this chapter.
On the surface, he describes the natural phenomenon of rainfall and storms. They come and go all the time, everywhere on the earth.
A deeper understanding reveals Lao Tzu’s cautionary message to those inclined toward overreach. They can get what they want for some time but cannot prevail. When the time comes, they are destined to be stopped, just like the disappearing of heavy rainfall and a storm.
“To use words but rarely is to be natural.” This statement embodies Lao Tzu’s non-meddling approach to managing human affairs. A similar idea also appeared in Chapter 17, where Lao Tzu describes the governance approach of a wise leader as “Hesitant, he does not utter words lightly.”
Wang Bi (226 - 249 AD) expressed the meaning of restraint in speech, “Listened to, it cannot be heard. Therefore, flavorless and unheard words are the most natural and truest.” 「聽之不聞名曰希。然則無味不足聽之言，乃是自然之至言也。」
Therefore, within the political context, “to use words but rarely” 「貴言」 and “not utter words lightly”「希言」are a warning message on excessive regulatory and drastic policies.
Lao Tzu disapproves of a heavy-handed governance approach, such as heavy taxation, limiting people’s liberties, and launching wars. From his perspective, these are symptoms straying from the Tao, a few people in power preaching and imposing their intentions and will upon the rest of society.
So, he conveys his message based on observing how nature works. A wise leader should know and weigh the consequences of draconian and interventionist governance. Sometimes, this type of leader is unaware of their actions, falsely believing they are doing good for the people and society. But, their actions can cause danger and their own demise, just like the storms that disappear.
A related message is that the rule of autocracy and tyranny will not last permanently as the affected people will stay watchful, vigilant, resentful, and ready to fight back. And they would be pleased when such a rule is ended. The same applies to a country becoming increasingly close-minded with more and more regulations and restrictions.
Lao Tzu also suggests avoiding the precarious situation by staying with the Tao. All the individuals in a society should be careful and discerning with regulations. What is underlying the intention to have more regulations can be both benign and malicious: to create a stable and fair order, but also to control and subjugate.
So, Lao Tzu’s dark warning can become useful for enlightened leaders who know that their role is to assist individuals in building a natural, nurturing, and harmonious order. Living in this order, individuals can capitalize on their inborn nature and innate talent to make things happen for themselves instead of being grateful for authority. This is how leaders gain the trust of the people.
Spiritual Taoism
So, how do we use Lao Tzu’s message in this chapter for our personal life?
There are three rules to be derived from it. The first principle is unobtrusive and effortless connection.
Following the Tao, we adopt a spontaneous approach to interacting with others. We free ourselves from the confines of our own intentions and desires.
This way, we become like a gentle breeze to those around us, fostering unforced and meaningful connections. This principle requires shifting from self-centered interaction to a more mindful and empathetic engagement with the world.
A second principle is having a holistic view of life and our journey in it. Life’s challenges resemble the ebbs and flows in nature. Since storms are an inevitable part of nature, we will encounter moments of darkness and turmoil.
However, we can trust these moments of darkness will not control us because we can cultivate inner balance, which allows us to weather life's storms with resilience and grace. We find solace and transcendence through a broadened mind and an open heart. Then, we can navigate future challenges with our newfound serenity and inner strength.
Lastly, we can joyfully awaken to the Tao — the source of inner freedom and spiritual liberation. Through this awakening, we realize our life's journey is a quest for self-discovery and purpose. And all the experiences and lessons in it are just materials for us to create, build, and transcend.
By aligning ourselves with the Tao, we become masters of our own spiritual realm.
Thank you for reading!
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Until next,
Yuxuan
Daodejing, trans. Edmund Ryden. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008), 49.
Tao Te Ching, trans. D. C. Lau. (London: Penguin Classics, 1963), 28.