Translation

The universe in not benevolent, and all things serve as grass dogs.
The wise person is not benevolent, and the people serve as grass dogs.
Is not the space between heaven and earth is like a bag?
Empty yet doesn’t submit, moves yet recovers from all its coming and going.
More speech add up to being exceptionally limited, and unlike keeping to the middle.

heaven and earth (world; universe) not benevolent (humanity; sensitive),
use (take; so as to_and; as well as) all things on earth do (act as) hay (fodder) dog (damned).

sage (wise man) not benevolent (humanity; sensitive),
use (take; so as to_and; as well as) ) common people ) do (act as) hay (fodder) dog (damned).

heaven and earth (world; universe) of between (among; space in between),
its (it; that; such) just as (like) a bag logical (sequence; coherence) part of speech (lofty)?

void (emptiness) yet not bend (bow; subdue; submit; in the wrong),
move (stir; act) yet heal (recover; become) go or come out (exceed; go beyond; produce).

many (much; more) speech (word; say; talk) count (be reckoned as exceptionally) poor (poverty-stricken; limit; end), not in compliance with (according to; like; as) guard (defend; keep watch; observe) center (middle; halfway between two extremes)

Original

天地不仁，以万物为刍狗。

圣人不仁，以百姓为刍狗。

天地之间，其犹橐钥乎？

虚而不屈，动而愈出。

多言数穷，不如守中。

Commentary, November 2008

I use this and chapter 2 (i.e., beautiful, ugly, good, bad as ‘tell’ chapters. How a translation deals with them tells me how true to ‘the tao’ they are. The views expressed in both fly in the face of humanistic values. The God idea appeals to people for ‘he’ gives the universe’s cold impartiality a warm benevolent face lift. ‘He’ also gives us a stand-up father figure to follow. God makes a perfect tribal elder. ‘He’ is benevolent and a champion of the good and beautiful. J

Enough sarcasm already and how unlike keeping to the middle. On the other hand, a fellow’s got to have some fun. Taoist views certainly aren’t easy to swallow for anyone who feels a need to choose sides.