--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat…" description: "\"Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, and treats others as straw dogs.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg" --- # Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various… ![“Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, and treats others as straw dogs.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg) > “Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, and treats others as straw dogs.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The universe is indifferent; sages act without attachment, treating all beings equally as transient. **In simple terms:** Sage is detached, treats all alike. Key Takeaway Cultivate impartial compassion. Themes philosophy detachment ethics Mood calm reflective Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - meditation - ethical leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts non‑attachment universalism spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How can impartiality coexist with empathy? - What practices foster non‑attachment? A Different Perspective Detachment may seem cold. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sage/) ## Related quotes > [The sound man, immune as to a sacrifice of straw dogs, faces the passing human generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-sound-man-immune-as-to-a-sacrifice-of-straw-dogs-faces-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I was just nine years old when 'Straw Dogs' came out, so I can't really speak to the women of the time, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/i-was-just-nine-years-old-when-straw-dogs-came-out-so-i-can-t-really/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [If I have to answer one more time, 'Why did you want to remake 'Straw Dogs?'' with the emphasis on the word 'why,' I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/if-i-have-to-answer-one-more-time-why-did-you-want-to-remake-straw/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [I look at 'Straw Dogs' as a very imperfect movie. It's a little bit slow, and its themes are a little bit murky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/i-look-at-straw-dogs-as-a-very-imperfect-movie-it-s-a-little-bit-slow/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [The point of remaking 'Straw Dogs' is not to replicate the philosophies of Sam Peckinpah at all. What made that film singular was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/the-point-of-remaking-straw-dogs-is-not-to-replicate-the-philosophies/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [When you make a movie like 'Straw Dogs,' your goal is to have people's eyes remain glued to the screen. It serves you no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/when-you-make-a-movie-like-straw-dogs-your-goal-is-to-have-people-s/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [I think that 'Straw Dogs' as a story is eminently re-makable. It can be modernized and Americanized without a problem and without giving up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/i-think-that-straw-dogs-as-a-story-is-eminently-re-makable-it-can-be/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [The truth is that we're not remaking Sam Peckinpah's 'Straw Dogs,' we're making 'Straw Dogs.' We're taking this story, and we're putting our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-lurie/the-truth-is-that-we-re-not-remaking-sam-peckinpah-s-straw-dogs-we-re/) [Rod Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-lurie/) > [Being a sick man is like being a log caught in a stream, Gilles. All the straws gather around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-waddell/being-a-sick-man-is-like-being-a-log-caught-in-a-stream-gilles-all/) [Helen Waddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-waddell/) > [Social laughter is momentary, soon burns itself out and passes away like the fire and smokes of straw, but genius shakes the very skies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-sidis/social-laughter-is-momentary-soon-burns-itself-out-and-passes-away/) [Boris Sidis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-sidis/) > [Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument, But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honour's at the stake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/rightly-to-be-great-is-not-to-stir-without-great-argument-but-greatly/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Commemoration of Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922 A memory of yesterday's pleasures, a fear of tomorrow's dangers, a straw under my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/commemoration-of-pandita-mary-ramabai-translator-of-the-scriptures/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/it-is-madness-to-wear-ladies-straw-hats-and-velvet-hats-to-church-we/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [The trouble with straw men is it only takes a single match to set them ablaze.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-klavan/the-trouble-with-straw-men-is-it-only-takes-a-single-match-to-set/) [Andrew Klavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-klavan/) > [In good yeares corne is hay, in ill yeares straw is corne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-good-yeares-corne-is-hay-in-ill-yeares-straw-is-corne/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Creatures quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this \[step by step, from humans to apes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us-with-so-extraordinary-a/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [...it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-was-a-huge-creature-luminous-ghastly-and-spectral-i-have-cross/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [My dad's family were political and he was always a theatrical creature, whereas my mum is really musical and her father was the touring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/my-dad-s-family-were-political-and-he-was-always-a-theatrical/) [Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Children are not a zoo of entertainingly exotic creatures, but an array of mirrors in which the human predicament leaps out at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/children-are-not-a-zoo-of-entertainingly-exotic-creatures-but-an/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) Browse all 3,703 Creatures quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, and treats others as straw dogs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat-the-various-creatures-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creatures" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat-the-various-creatures-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/laozi-147_creatures_heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat_2869711.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, and…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Heaven and earth are ruthless, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat-the-various-creatures-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-are-ruthless-and-treat-the-various-creatures-as/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```