5.
虛
用
The use of emptiness
Trời đất không có lòng nhân, coi bách tính như chó rơm.
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.
Thánh nhân không có lòng nhân, coi bách tính như chó rơm.
The sages do not act from (any wish to be) benevolent; they deal with the people as the dogs of grass are dealt with.
Khoảng trời đất giống như ống bễ.
May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows?
Trống không mà không hao kiệt, càng động, hơi càng ra.
‘Tis emptied, yet it loses not its power; ‘Tis moved again, and sends forth air the more.
Nói nhiều cũng chẳng hết, thà giữ lấy Trung.
Much speech to swift exhaustion lead we see; Your inner being guard, and keep it free.