Chapter 77 · The Bow of Heaven

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

May not the Way (or Tao) of Heaven be compared to the (method of) bending a bow?

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

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. 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. Who can take his own superabundance and therewith serve all under heaven? Only he who is in possession of the Tao! 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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Chapter 77, in a second rendering

Drawing a Bow

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

The sky's way is a lot like drawing a bow. The top gets pulled down, the bottom gets pulled up. Too much gets taken off, too little gets added. That's the sky's way - take from the surplus, give to the shortfall. People do the opposite: take from whoever's short to pile more on whoever's already loaded. Who's got a surplus and gives it to the whole world? Only someone running on the Dao. So the steady hand does the work and doesn't lean on it, gets it done and doesn't camp out on the result - and would rather not parade how capable they are.

Next · Chapter 78There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water…Read chapter 78 →

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