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!
Therefore when one is making the Dao 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.
Hence, those with whom he agrees as to the Dao 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 Dao). (But) when there is not faith sufficient (on his part), a want of faith (in him) ensues (on the part of the others).
Note
This chapter and Chapter 17 mutually correspond. Chapter 17 reveals that harsh policies and severe punishments only generate “fear and disdain” among the people, thus urging rulers to implement reforms. The current chapter elaborates on the principle of “speaking little in harmony with nature (Dao)”.
Using the analogy of natural storms, which never endure, Laozi warns rulers:
- Avoid coercive interference through decrees.
- Reject tyranny, as only silent, non-interventionist governance aligns with natural laws, enabling the people’s well-being.
Chapter Twenty-Three’s “sparing speech is in accord with nature” and Chapter Seventeen’s “the highest form of rule is when the people do not even realize the ruler exists; the next best is when they feel close to and praise him” complement each other in articulating a political ideal.
Chapter Seventeen describes the most skillful ruler as one whose presence is barely felt by the people (“they do not even realize the ruler exists”), while Chapter Twenty-Three explains how to achieve this through “sparing speech” – by reducing the interference of decrees and allowing the people to live naturally in peace and prosperity.
Chapter Seventeen states, “when trust is insufficient, distrust arises,” and Chapter Twenty-Three repeats this phrase to emphasize that if a ruler lacks integrity – such as by frequently changing policies – they will lose the people’s trust. Together, these chapters highlight the importance of integrity in the practice of “governance through non-action.”
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。
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