Chapter 5
第五章
Heaven and earth do not act from (the impulse of) any wish to be benevolent;
天地不仁,
they deal with all things as the dogs of grass are dealt with.
以万物为刍狗;
The sages do not act from (any wish to be) benevolent;
圣人不仁,
they deal with the people as the dogs of grass are dealt with.
以百姓为刍狗。
May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows?
天地之间,其犹橐龠乎?
'Tis emptied, yet it loses not its power; 'Tis moved again, and sends forth air the more.
虚而不屈,动而愈出。
Much speech to swift exhaustion lead we see; Your inner being guard, and keep it free.
多言数穷,不如守中。