DAO DE JING

Chapter 23

Translation by K Ellis

To be of few words is natural.

A fierce wind does not last all morning;
a sudden storm does not last all day.
Who creates these? Heaven and earth.
If even heaven and earth cannot make such intensity endure,
how can human striving ever last?

Therefore, in pursuing the Way, you become one with the Way.
In pursuing virtue, you become one with virtue.
In pursuing loss, you become one with loss.
One with the Way, the Way gladly receives you.
One with virtue, virtue gladly receives you.
One with loss, loss gladly receives you.

When trust is insufficient,
there can be no trust in return.

Translation © 2026 K Ellis. All rights reserved.