· 第5章

Chapter 5

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

Source: Paul Carus (1913) - Chapter heading
THE F UNCTION OF EMPTINESS.

Philosophical Insight

Source: Paul Carus (1913) - Canon of Reason and Virtue
1. But for heaven and earth's humaneness, the ten thousand things are straw dogs. But for the holy m an'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): ...
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