It is empty inside, but its functions are endless. And once it is in motion, it will run endlessly and never run out. If people show off too much, they will accelerate their destruction. It is better to keep the inner purity and emptiness!
Source: Spring and Autumn Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"
Original text: The heaven and the earth are unkind and regard all things as gullible dogs; the saints are unkind and regard the common people as gullible dogs. Between heaven and earth, is it still like a quarrel? If it is empty but not yielding, it will get better when it moves. It is better to keep the center than to talk too much.
Understanding: The original meaning of this sentence is that the heaven and earth do not have a heart of benevolence and regard all things as straw dogs; the saints do not have a heart of benevolence and regard the common people as straw dogs. The gap between heaven and earth is like a big bellows. Its interior is empty, but its functions are endless. And once it starts moving, it will run endlessly and never run out. If people show off too much, they will accelerate their ruin. It is better to keep the inner purity and emptiness! Extended information
Creative background
According to literature, Lao Tzu was studious and knowledgeable. In the process of teaching knowledge by his teacher Shang Rong, I always inquired about the root cause and was very eager for knowledge. In order to solve his doubts, he often looked up at the sun, moon and stars, thinking about what the sky was, so that he often couldn't sleep. Later, teacher Shang Rong recommended me to study in the capital of Zhou Dynasty. Documentary records: "Laozi entered the Zhou Dynasty, met with doctors, and entered Taixue. He learned everything from astronomy, geography, and human relations. He read everything in "Poetry", "Books", "Yi", "Calendar", "Rituals" and "Music", and cultural relics. He was familiar with all kinds of books, canons, and history books, and he made great progress in his studies. The doctor recommended him to be an official in the Shou Cang Room. No." Through this experience, I accumulated a wealth of knowledge and became famous far and wide.
Laozi was born in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The environment at that time was that the Zhou Dynasty was weak, and wars continued among the various princes to compete for dominance. The severe turmoil and changes made Laozi witness the suffering of the people. As the guardian of Tibet in the Zhou Dynasty, he put forward a series of ideas for governing the country and bringing peace to the people.
Yin Xi, the commander of Hangu Pass, also played a huge role in the completion of the Tao Te Ching. When he was young, he was fond of astronomy, loved reading ancient books, and was deeply cultivated. Sima Qian recorded in "Historical Records of Laozi" that Laozi "lived in the Zhou Dynasty for a long time, and saw the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, so he left. When he arrived at the Pass, Guan (order) Yin Xi said: "The master is about to hide, and he forces me to write a book, so Laozi talks about morality. "Five thousand words have gone away, but I don't know the end." Yin Xi moved Laozi, and Laozi used his own life experience and the rise and fall of the dynasty, the safety and misfortune of the people as a guide to trace its origins, and wrote two articles, ** *Five thousand words, the Tao Te Ching.