Chapter LXXVII
(Chapter 77)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Way of Heaven
1. The Tao of Heaven is likened to the bending of a bow, whereby the high part is brought down, and the low part raised up.  The extreme is diminished, and the middle increased.
2. This is the Way of Heaven, to remove excess, and to supplement insufficiency.  Not so is the way of man, who taketh away from him that hath not to give to him that hath already excess.
3. Who can employ his own excess to the weal of all under Heaven?  Only he that possesseth the Tao.
4. So the Wise Man acteth without lust of result; achieveth and boasteth not; he willeth not to proclaim his greatness.

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S. Mitchell Translation
As it acts in the world, the Tao
is like the bending of a bow.
The top is bent downward;
the bottom is bent up.
It adjusts excess and deficiency
so that there is perfect balance.
It takes from what is too much
and give to what isn't enough.

Those who try to control,
who use force to protect their power,
go against the direction of the Tao.
They take from those who don't have enough
and give to those who have far too much.

The Master can keep giving
because there is no end to her wealth.
She acts without expectation,
succeeds without taking credit,
and doesn't think that she is better
than anyone else.

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James Legge Translation
1. May not the Way (or Tao) of Heaven be compared to the (method of) bending a bow?  The (part of the bow) which was high is brought low, and what was low is raised up.  (So Heaven) diminishes where there is superabundance, and supplements where there is deficiency.
2. It is the Way of Heaven to diminish superabundance, and to supplement deficiency.  It is not so with the way of man.  He takes away from those who have not enough to add to his own superabundance.
3. Who can take his own superabundance and therewith serve all under heaven?  Only he who is in possession of the Tao!
4. Therefore the (ruling) sage acts without claiming the results as his; he achieves his merit and does not rest (arrogantly) in it:  he does not wish to display his superiority.

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Need
Is the action of nature not unlike drawing a bow?
What is higher is pulled down, and what is lower is raised up;
What is taller is shortened, and what is thinner is broadened;
Nature's motion decreases those who have more than they need
And increases those who need more than they have.

It is not so with Man.
Man decreases those who need more than they have
And increases those who have more than they need.

To give away what you do not need is to follow the Way.
So the sage gives without expectation,
Accomplishes without claiming credit,
And has no desire for ostentation.

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