Chapter 5

Nature's Impartiality

天(tiān)地(dì)不(bù)仁(rén)，以(yǐ)万(wàn)物(wù)为(wéi)刍(chú)狗(gǒu)；

圣(shèng)人(rén)不(bù)仁(rén)，以(yǐ)百(bǎi)姓(xìng)为(wéi)刍(chú)狗(gǒu)。

天(tiān)地(dì)之(zhī)间(jiān)，其(qí)犹(yóu)橐(tuó)龠(yuè)乎(hū)？虚(xū)而(ér)不(bù)屈(qū)，动(dòng)而(ér)愈(yù)出(chū)。

多(duō)言(yán)数(shuò)穷(qióng)，不(bù)如(rú)守(shǒu)中(zhōng)。

James Legge · 1891 · Public domain

1. 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.

2. 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.

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