Heaven and earth do not act from (the impulse of) any wish to be benevolent; they deal with all things as the straw dogs are dealt with. The sages do not act from (any wish to be) benevolent; they deal with the people as the straw dogs are dealt with. May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows? It is emptied, yet it loses not its power; it is moved again, and sends forth air the more.
