D : according to Waley, “dust” is a metaphor for the “noise and fuss of everyday life” E : compare to #6, where the spirit of the valley also “seems to exist” Cross-references use does not exhaust : #5, #35 blunt the sharpness : #56 loosen the tangles : #56 soften the brightness : #56 dust of the world : #56 Chapter Five 天 地 不 仁 以 萬 物 為 芻 狗 • 聖 人 不 仁 • 以 百 姓 為 芻 狗 天 地 之 間 其 猶 橐 籥 乎(•) 虛 而 不 屈 動 而 愈 出 • 多 言 數 窮 不 如 守 中 Heaven and earth are not kind – Thus the ten thousand creatures become as straw dogs to them. The sage is not kind – Thus the 100 families become as straw dogs to him. The space between heaven and earth, How is it just like a bellows or flute? It is empty, yet does not run out. The more it moves, and the more it produces. Too much talking is exceptionally exhausting, Which is not as good as maintaining what is within. ♦Heaven and earth are not kind* – ♦Thus the ten thousand creatures become as straw dogsA to them. ♦The sage2 is not kind* – ♦Thus the 100 families become as straw dogs to him. The space between [à] heaven and earth, [How] is it just like a bellows or flute ? ♦It is empty, yet does not run out. [subdue,submit,yieldàgive up,quit] The more it moves, and the more it produces. Too much talking is exceptionally exhausting, Which is not as good as maintaining what is within.B Notes Only lines 5-8 are in GUO A : Hall&Ames describe “straw dogs” as items that were carefully created for a sacrificial ritual, and treated with great respect during the ritual, but afterwards were casually tossed away and not given another thought B : this sentence could just as likely end with “maintaining your center” Cross-references 100 families : #17, #49 use does not exhaust : #4, #35 Chapter Six 谷 神 不 死 是 謂 玄 牝 玄 牝 之 門 是 謂 天 地 (之) 根 • 绵 绵 若 存 用 之 不 勤 The spirit of the valley does not die – It is called the deep and mysterious feminine. The gateway of this deep and mysterious feminine – It is called the source of heaven and earth. Unbroken, it seems to exist. Using it takes no effort. ♦The spirit of the valley does not dieA – It is called the deep and mysterious feminine. The gateway of this deep and mysterious feminine – It is called the source of heaven and earth. Unbroken2, it seems to exist.B Using it takes no effort. [diligence,hard work] Notes A : the qualities (“spirit”) of a valley (receptiveness, openness, emptiness) never leave it