Chapter 5

Harmony Nature
Heaven and earth do not act from (the impulse of) any wish to be benevolent; they deal with all things as the dogs of grass are dealt with. The sages do not act from (any wish to be) benevolent; they deal with the people as the dogs of grass are dealt with. May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows? 'Tis emptied, yet it loses not its power; 'Tis moved again, and sends forth air the more. Much speech to swift exhaustion lead we see; Your inner being guard, and keep it free.

Commentary

Commentary

THE FUNCTION OF EMPTINESS. 1. But for heaven and earth's humaneness, the ten thousand things are straw do gs. But for the holy man's humaneness, the hundred families are straw dogs. 2. Is not the space between heaven and earth like unto a bellows? It is empty; yet it collapses not. It moves, and more and more comes forth. [But] 3. "How soon exhausted is A gossip's fulsome talk! And should we not prefer On the middle path to walk?" Next: 6. The Completion of Form | « Previous: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): ...
Sources: Paul Carus (1913) - Chapter heading; Paul Carus (1913) - Canon of Reason and Virtue