The Nature of Heaven and Earth - Chu Hsi

When we speak of the Nature of Heaven and Earth 

we refer specifically to Law; 

when we speak of the Physical  Nature 

we refer to Law and Either combined. 

Before the etherial element existed 

the Nature was already in existence. 

The former is transitory, the latter is eternal. 

Although the Nature is implanted in the midst of the Ether, 

the Ether is still the Ether, 

and the Nature is still the Nature, 

without confusion the one with the other. 

As to its immanence and omnipresence in the universe: 

again, no matter how fine or coarse the Ether may be,

there is nothing  which does not possess this Law. 

---

Chu Hsi [Zhu Xi] (1130-1200) China

Translated by Joseph Percy Bruce

Source: The philosophy of human nature. Translated from the Chinese, with notes by Chu Hsi, 1130-1200; Joseph Percy Bruce, Probsthain, 1922

This section is taken from Book II "The Philosophy of Human Nature" (No. 3)