Chapter 23
第二十三章
Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature.
希言自然。
A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.
故飘风不终朝,骤雨不终日。
To whom is it that these (two) things are owing?
孰为此者?
To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!
天地,天地尚不能久,而况于人乎?
Therefore when one is making the Tao his business, those who are also pursuing it, agree with him in it,
故从事于道者同于道,
and those who are making the manifestation of its course their object agree with him in that;
德者同于德,
while even those who are failing in both these things agree with him where they fail.
失者同于失。
Hence, those with whom he agrees as to the Tao have the happiness of attaining to it;
故同于道者,
those with whom he agrees as to its manifestation have the happiness of attaining to it;
道亦得之;
and those with whom he agrees in their failure have also the happiness of attaining (to the Tao).
同于失,道亦失之。
(But) when there is not faith sufficient (on his part), a want of faith (in him) ensues (on the part of the others).
信不足,焉有不信焉。