Original Text
Is not the way of nature like drawing a bow? When the string is high, press it down; when low, lift it up; when overfull, slacken it; when insufficient, stretch it full. Thus the way of nature reduces the excessive and supplements the deficient. But the way of humanity is different—it takes from the deficient to serve the excessive. Who can take the excessive to supply the world's deficiency? Only one who possesses the Way. Therefore, the sage acts without claiming merit, achieves without boasting, and does not wish to display his worth.
Guide
This chapter embodies Laozi's philosophy of equality. He opposes the concentration of wealth among a small ruling elite, advocates for "taking from the surplus to supplement the deficiency," and calls on rulers to align their hearts with the people's hearts, their desires with the people's desires, treat the populace generously, and return to humility and simplicity.Analysis
This chapter discusses the principle of the Way of Heaven, which is to reduce the excessive and supplement the insufficient, a concept that stands in stark contrast to human society. The sage does not dwell on achievements after success, precisely by emulating the Way of Heaven, using one's own abundance to remedy the world's deficiencies.
"The Way of Heaven is like drawing a bow: what is high is lowered, what is low is raised; what has excess is reduced, what is insufficient is supplemented." In this sentence, "reduce" and "lower" imply restraint. "Insufficient" and "low" can be understood as "having nothing due to weakness." In fact, these verbs—lower, raise, reduce, supplement—all refer to a kind of coordination work for overall harmony. Additionally, high, low, excess, and insufficiency all represent states of disharmony. In these lines, Laozi compares the Way of Heaven with the way of humanity, highlighting the vastness of Heaven's Way and the smallness of humanity's way, thus concluding that humanity's way should emulate Heaven's Way. When explaining Heaven's Way, Laozi likens it to a drawn bow: people draw a bow to shoot prey, so the arrow's direction must adjust with the prey's movement—lower it if too high, raise it if too low; reduce what is excessive, supplement what is lacking. Therefore, Heaven's Way is to reduce excess and supplement insufficiency.
"The Way of Heaven reduces the abundant to supplement the deficient. The way of man is otherwise: it reduces the deficient to offer to the abundant." After explaining the Way of Heaven, Laozi naturally introduces the way of man. What is the way of man? It is the social law upheld by human rulers. The way of man is the exact opposite of the Way of Heaven; it is "reducing the deficient to offer to the abundant." In Laozi's view, the way of man is the root cause of wealth disparity and inequality of rights in the world. The Way of Heaven, however, pursues equality, thus it can endure, bring peace to people's hearts, and prevent turmoil.
"Who can have abundance to offer to the world? Only those who follow the Way." Those who follow the Way are the enlightened ones, referring to people who recognize the moral essence of the world, consciously act as moral agents, and live according to moral principles. In this sentence, Laozi asks and answers himself, further explaining the behavioral characteristics of those who follow the Way: they will take their surplus clothing, food, and possessions and offer them to the poor, aiming for social equality and thus achieving social stability.
Therefore, the sage acts without claiming credit, accomplishes without dwelling on success, and does not wish to display his worth. "Acting" refers to the sage's activity in governing human society, which aligns with the Way's governance of the world, aiming to coordinate human interactions and maintain harmony, thus transcending personal will. "Does not wish to display his worth" means not pursuing or coveting superior living conditions or treatment for oneself, in other words, sharing hardships and joys with the people. At the end of this chapter, Laozi concludes from the sage's actions: the sage acts without pride in his achievements, gives his surplus to those in need, never shows off or becomes arrogant, but always maintains humility, respect, and lowliness.