Verse 5

Heaven and earth are not moved by offerings of straw-dogs.
The True Person is not moved by offerings of straw-dogs.

The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.
It is empty and yet never exhausted.

The more it works the more comes out.
Many words lead to exhaustion.

Better to hold fast to your centre.  

Verse 6

The valley spirit never dies.
It is the unknown first mother, whose gate is the root
from which grew heaven and earth.

It is dimly seen, yet always present.
Draw from it all you wish; it will never run dry. 

Verse 7

Heaven and earth last forever.
The reason why heaven and earth last forever
is that they do not live for themselves.
Hence, they last forever.

Therefore, the True Person leaves self behind
and thus is found in front,
is not guarded and thus is preserved,
is self-free and thus is able to find fulfilment.
 

Verse 8

The highest good is like water.

For water benefits the ten thousand things without striving.
It settles in places that people avoid and so is like the Tao.

In choosing your home look to the land.
In preparing your heart go deep.

In associating with others value gentleness.
In speaking exhibit good faith.

In governing provide good order.
In the conduct of business be competent.

In action be timely.
Then there is no strife, nothing goes amiss.