Is the Way of Heaven not like drawing a bow?
The lofty are torn down
The lowly are lifted up
The wealthy diminished
The empty handed aided

The Way of Heaven diminishes the surplus by aiding the empty handed

Not so with the Way of Man
He takes from the empty handed to oblige his own coffers
Is anyone able to use their abundance to oblige the world instead?

The Sage acts without presumption
Achieves his end, and then moves on
For he has no wish to reflect on his worthiness

天之道其猶張弓與
高者抑之
下者舉之
有餘者損之
不足者補之

天之道損有餘而補不足

人之道則不然
損不足以奉有餘
孰能有餘以奉天下

唯有道者

是以聖人為而不恃
功成而不處
其不欲見賢