Chapter 5 · Heaven's Impartial Bellows

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

Heaven and earth do not act from (the impulse of) any wish to be benevolent;

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

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.

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May not the space between heaven and — missed earth be compared to a bellows

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Chapter 5, in a second rendering

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Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

Nature isn't sentimental. Heaven and earth don't play favorites - everything gets the same weather, the deserving and the not. The steady hand is the same way. Not cruel. Just not running a charity for one side. The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows. Empty, and it never gives out - work it and more keeps coming. Too many words wear you out fast. Better to stay near the center and stop explaining. (So I'll stop.)

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