Chapter 5
"Heaven and earth are not Good
They treat the thousands of things like straw dogs.
The Wise Person is not Good
He treats the hundred clans like straw dogs.
The space between heaven and earth
Isn't like a bellows?
Empty, by not shriveled up,
Set it in motion and always more comes out.
Much talking, quickly exhausted.
It can't compare to watching over what is inside."
- Translated by Michael LaFargue, 1992, Chapter 5
"Heaven and earth are impartial, they regard all creatures as sacred.
The self-controlled man is impartial, he regards all people as sacred.
The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows.
Emptied, it loses not power,
Moved, it sends forth more and more wind.
Many words lead to exhaustion.
Be not thus; keep to thy center."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 5
Concordance for the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: Resources
"Heaven and earth are not like humans, they are impartial.
They regard all things as insignificant, as though they were playthings made of straw.
The wise man is also impartial.
To him all men are alike and unimportant.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows,
It is empty but does not collapse,
It moves and more and more issues.
A gossip is soon empty, it is doubtful if he can be impartial."
- Translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel, 1919, Chapter 5
"Nature is not humane.
It treats all things like sacrificial objects.
The wise are not humane.
They regard people like sacrificial objects.
How the universe is like a bellows!
While empty, it is never exhausted.
The more it is worked, the more it produces.
Much talk brings exhaustion.
It is better to keep to the center."
- Translated by Beck Sanderson, 1996, Chapter 5
"Heaven and Earth are ruthless;
To them the Ten Thousand things are but as straw dogs.
The Sage too is ruthless;
To him the people are but as straw dogs.
Yet Heaven and Earth and all that lies between
Is like a bellows
In that it is empty, but gives a supply that never fails.
Work it, and more comes out.
Whereas the force of words is soon spent.
Far better is it to keep what is in the heart."
- Translated by Arthur Waley, 1934, Chapter 5
Chapter 5 of the Dao De Jing by Laozi: Text and Commentaries
Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices
Chapter and Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching
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