Chapter 5: Heaven and Earth are not humane; they regard all things as straw dogs. The space between Heaven and Earth — is it not like a bellows? It is empty but not exhausted, the more it works, the more comes out. Much talk brings exhaustion. Better to hold to the center.

Chapter 6: The valley spirit never dies. It is called the mysterious female. The gateway of the mysterious female is called the root of Heaven and Earth. It is continuous, as if it existed. Draw upon it and it will never run dry.

Chapter 7: Heaven is eternal and Earth is everlasting. The reason they are eternal and everlasting is that they do not live for themselves. Therefore they can live forever. The sage puts himself last and finds himself first. He is detached and therefore he is preserved. Is it not because he is selfless that he achieves his own fulfillment?