“Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can a man!”

“A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.”

“To speak little is natural. Therefore a gale does not blow a whole morning nor does a downpour last a whole day.”

“Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes it law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.”

“Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long.”

“Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons.”

“An over sharpened sword cannot last long. ”