DIANJI · 典籍
A source-aware reading page for Tao Te Ching Chapter 5.
天地不仁,以萬物為芻狗;
聖人不仁,以百姓為芻狗。
天地之間,其猶橐籥乎?虛而不屈,動而愈出。
多言數窮,不如守中。
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.