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"The way of tian is like archers drawing their bows. To hit something high in the air, they pull the string downward; To hit something lower, they pull the string upward. When they have drawn the string too far back, they let some go, And when they have not drawn it far enough, they pull harder. The way of tian is also to let some go where there is excess And to augment where there is not enough. The way of human beings on the other hand is not like this at all. It is instead to take away from those who do not have enough. In order to give more to those who already have too much. Who then in having too much is able to draw on this excess to make an offering to the world? Perhaps only those who are way-making (dao). It is thus that sages act on behalf of things but do make any claim on them, They see things through to fruition but do not take credit for them. It is in such a way that they refrain from making a display of their worth."
Author
Lao TzuAll Translations
"The way of tian is like archers drawing their bows. To hit something high in the air, they pull the string downward; To hit something lower, they pull the string upward. When they have drawn the string too far back, they let some go, And when they have not drawn it far enough, they pull harder. The way of tian is also to let some go where there is excess And to augment where there is not enough. The way of human beings on the other hand is not like this at all. It is instead to take away from those who do not have enough. In order to give more to those who already have too much. Who then in having too much is able to draw on this excess to make an offering to the world? Perhaps only those who are way-making (dao). It is thus that sages act on behalf of things but do make any claim on them, They see things through to fruition but do not take credit for them. It is in such a way that they refrain from making a display of their worth."