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.

天地不仁，以万物為芻狗；圣人不仁，以百姓為芻狗。

天地之間，其猶橐龠乎？虛而不屈，動而愈出。

多言數窮，不如守中。

【译文】

天地无所谓仁爱之心，把万物都当作"刍狗"来看待；圣人也不执求仁爱之心，把百姓也当作"刍狗"来看待。天地之间，不正像是气囊或空管那样的大空泡吗？它虽空虚但却不会塌缩，运行之中生化不息。孜孜于仗名立言往往行不通，不如持守空虚而顺任自然。