Religion
Chapter 5
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
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.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 5.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/4/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 5.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/4/.
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