Verse 23 | Tao Te Ching | Sincerity
Dale Translation
Speak few words, but say them with quietude and sincerity,
and they will be long-lasting,
for a raging wind cannot blow all morning,
nor a sudden rainstorm last throughout the day.
Why is this so?
Because it is the nature of the sky and the earth to be frugal.
Even human beings can not alter this nature
without suffering the consequences.
When we sincerely follow the ethical path,
we become one with it.
When we become one with the ethical path, it embraces us.
When we completely lose our way, we become one with loss.
When we become one with loss, loss embraces us.
When we sincerely follow the great integrity, we become one with it.
When are one with the great integrity, it embraces us.
But when nothing is done sincerely,
nothing and on-one embraces us.
Walker Translation
Nature is sparing with speech
a whirlwind doesn't last all morning
a rain shower doesn't last all day
What causes these? Heaven and earth.
If heaven and earth can't make something
furious endure, how could man?
Concentrate on Tao and you'll experience Tao.
Concentrate on power, and you'll experience power.
Concentrate on loss and you'll experience loss.
If you won't trust, you won't be trusted.
Mitchell Translation
Express yourself completely,
then keep quiet.
Be like the forces of nature:
when it blows, there is only wind;
when it rains, there is only rain;
when the clouds pass, the sun shines through.
If you open yourself to the Tao,
you are one with the Tao
and you can embody it completely.
If you open yourself to insight,
you are at one with insight
and you can use it completely.
If you open yourself to loss,
you are at one with loss
and you can accept it completely.
Open yourself to the Tao,
then trust your natural response;
and everything will fall into place.
Dyer Translation
To talk little is natural:
Fierce winds do not blow all morning;
a downpour of rain does not last the day.
Who does this? Heaven and earth.
But these are exaggerated, forced effects,
and that is why they cannot be sustained.
If heaven and earth cannot sustain a forced action,
how much less is man able to do?
Those who follow the Way
become one with the Way.
Those who follow goodness
become one with goodness.
Those who stray from the Way and goodness
become one with failure.
If you conform to the Way,
its power flows through you.
Your actions become those of nature,
your ways those of heaven.
Open yourself to the Tao
and trust your natural responses . . .
then everything will fall into place.
WHO IS MIKE VITALE?
I am a storyteller, singer, songwriter, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify: