Chapter 23: The Nature of Nature
Laozi uses the example of wind and rain to show that nothing violent lasts. Those who follow the Tao become one with the Tao. Like attracts like.
📖 Definition
Chapter 23 uses wind and rain to show nothing violent lasts. Those who follow the Tao become one with it. Like attracts like — the Tao receives those who align with it.
Source Text
Read the original alongside the English rendering
Original Chinese
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，道亦得之；
同於德者，德亦得之；
同於失者，失亦得之。
信不足焉，有不信焉。
English Rendering
Sparing words is natural.
A strong wind does not last a whole morning.
A sudden rain does not last a whole day.
Who makes these?
Heaven and Earth.
Even Heaven and Earth cannot make them last forever — how much less can human beings?
Therefore those who follow the Tao are one with the Tao.
Those who follow virtue are one with virtue.
Those who follow loss are one with loss.
Those one with the Tao — the Tao also receives them.
Those one with virtue — virtue also receives them.
Those one with loss — loss also receives them.
When trust is insufficient, there is distrust.
The Natural Way
希言自然 — “Sparing words is natural.”
Nature does not give speeches — it simply acts. The Tao is not in words but in the way things naturally happen.
Wind and Rain
飄風不終朝，驟雨不終日 — “A strong wind does not last a whole morning. A sudden rain does not last a whole day.”
Violent forces are temporary. The gentle, persistent forces are what last. This applies to storms, but also to human behavior.
Heaven and Earth’s Limits
天地尚不能久 — “Even Heaven and Earth cannot make them last forever.”
Even the greatest forces are temporary. This is a warning against violence and forced action.
The Principle of Like Attracting Like
故從事於道者，道者同於道 — “Those who follow the Tao are one with the Tao.”
Laozi presents a cosmic principle of attraction:
- Following Tao → one with Tao → Tao receives you
- Following virtue → one with virtue → virtue receives you
- Following loss → one with loss → loss receives you
The Warning
信不足焉，有不信焉 — “When trust is insufficient, there is distrust.”
If you do not trust the Tao (trust the process, trust nature), you will experience distrust (the Tao will not support you).
Modern Application
We try to force outcomes through effort and control. Chapter 23 suggests: what is natural persists; what is forced passes.
Key Takeaways
- Sparing words is natural
- Nothing violent lasts
- Like attracts like
- Following Tao means becoming one with Tao
- Trust in nature brings nature’s support
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Written by
Lee
Lee explains Chinese philosophy, strategy, and stories in plain English — for people who want ancient wisdom they can actually use. Based in China, writing for the world.
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