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And regard myriad things as straw dogs
The sage is without bias
And regards people as straw dogs
The space between Heaven and Earth
Is it not like a bellows？
Empty； and yet never exhausted
It moves； and produces more
Too many words hasten failure
Cannot compare to keeping quiet
Straw dogs are literally small dog figurines made from straws。 They were used in ancient times for rituals。
Too many words / laws quicken defeat / failure
Cannot compare to keeping quiet
An alternative explanation of the above is that too much bureaucracy； too many rules and regulations quickly leads to weakness and failure； it is better to maintain tranquility and non…action。
This is an often misunderstood passage in Tao Te Ching； even by native speakers of Chinese； because some of the characters have a completely different meaning in ancient usage than in modern times。
For instance； this is a simple character meaning 〃middle；〃 so many scholars assume the last line has to do with holding to the center； or perhaps holding to the principle of moderation。 This would make more sense； though； if the previous line speaks of the danger of extremes。 Now that we understand it refers to the maddening 〃noise〃 of complex and bureaucratic laws； it makes far more sense that the last line is really talking about silence and tranquility。
6
The valley spirit； undying
Is called the mystical female
The gateway of the mystical female
Is called the root of Heaven and Earth
It flows continuously； barely perceptible
Utilize it； it is never exhausted
The spirit of the valley … a powerful symbol of the female principle … is eternal。 It has always been there and will always be。 We can call it the mystical female； or the sacred feminine。
The sacred feminine is the universal source of life。 Therefore； the doorway to the essence of the mystical female is what we can call the root； origin； or genesis of the entire world。
This essence … life itself … is a continuous flow。 We tend to take it for granted and not pay attention to it； but it is always there。 And it does not matter how much it is utilized … the power of life is literally inexhaustible。
7
Heaven and earth are everlasting
The reason heaven and earth can last forever
Is that they do not exist for themselves
Thus they can last forever
Therefore the sage：
Places himself last but ends up in front
Is outside of himself and yet survives
Isn't it all due to his selflessness？
That's how he can achieve his own goals
To be 〃outside of himself〃 in this context means to be unconcerned with one's well being； to disregard one's body … to sacrifice oneself。
Here we have another example of the Tao paradox： the sage can advance his own 〃selfish〃 agenda； by being totally selfless。
Lao Tzu himself is a good example of this。 He was content to be a humble； unknown philosopher； he never sought fame and recognition。 And yet here we are； reading his words； which have survived the last twenty five centuries and will continue on long after we are gone。
8
The highest goodness resembles water
Water greatly benefits myriad things without contention
It stays in places that people dislike
Therefore it is similar to the Tao
Dwelling at the right place
Heart with great depth
Giving with great kindness
Words with great integrity
Governing with great administration
Handling with great capability
Moving with great timing
Because it does not contend
It is therefore beyond reproach
Water is the most fitting metaphor for the Tao and the nature of sages who follow the Tao。 Water nourishes plants and slakes the thirst of animals。 Water also assumes the lowest position it can no matter where it happens to be。 These observations reveal to us characteristics of both the Tao and the sages。
Water flows to the lowest place not because it intentionally does so； but because it follows its own nature。 The sages； like water； also place themselves lower； not because they contrive to do so； but because it is their nature to be humble。
Sages have depth of character。 Like a deep body of water； sages are tranquil and composed。 A pool of water is not only the surface but also everything below it。 Likewise； there is more to a sage than meets the eyes。 It may take a while for people to realize this； but the more they get to know the sage； the more they discover。
Water provides its benefits and moves on； without waiting for any benefits in return。 Sages benefit others in the exact same way。 They give only to give； not because they want recognition or payback。 When they provide teachings； assistance or guidance； they do so with no conditions； no strings attached； and no expectations。
Water reflects its surroundings。 It does not try to hide or change anything in its reflections。 When sages speak； it is with this same sense of integrity and sincerity。 People come to trust the sage； because they realize the sage will give them the truth when no one else will。
Water administers to everything equally。 Water plays no favorites。 It slakes the thirst of the kind person just as it does the unkind person。 Taking a cue from this； sages also do not pick and choose the recipients of the benefits they provide。 Their impartial administration is conducted without bias and judgment。
Water is versatile。 It conforms to the shape of any container to do its work。 Following this； the sages also cultivate flexibility and adaptability in themselves。 Because the world is constantly changing； they also make constant adjustments to handle new challenges。
Water moves in accordance with Heaven。 Whether it takes the form of rain； snow； or hail； water follows the timing of natural events。 The sages are the same way。 They live each day following the natural flow of events； and take appropriate actions at the appropriate time。
Most importantly； water does not contend。 It gives itself to everything without complaints or protests。 Like water； sages do not engage in petty squabbles； because their only wish is to be of service。 They are at peace with everyone； and that makes them beyond reproach。
Notes
Quick summary of this chapter … Tao cultivators observe water in order to emulate the following characteristics：
Natural humility。
Depth of character。
Giving without expectations。
Sincerity and integrity。
Equal administration。
Versatility and adaptability。
Natural timing。
Non…contention。
9
Holding a cup and overfilling it
Cannot be as good as stopping short
Pounding a blade and sharpening it
Cannot be kept for long
Gold and jade fill up the room
No one is able to protect them
Wealth and position bring arrogance
And leave upon oneself disasters
When achievement is completed； fame attained； withdraw oneself
This is the Tao of Heaven
If you keep filling a container with liquid until it overflows； things will get wet and messy around you。 It is better to stop just short of fullness。 Similarly； if you pound a b