Tao Te Ching 23: Nature uses few words

- 23 -

Express yourself succinctly, then remain quiet.

Nature uses few words.

Fierce winds do not blow all morning,

a downpour of rain does not last the day.

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 so?

~

If you open yourself to the Tao,

its power flows through you

and everything will fall into place.

If you open yourself to virtue,

virtue will become part of you.

Your actions will bec...