Tao of Heaven, isn't it like a bow? It lowers when the bowstring is pu

天道 · Tiān Dào

Classical Chinese Text

天之道，其犹张弓与？高者抑下，下者举之，有余者损之，不足者补之。天之道，损有余而补不足。人之道，则不然，损不足以奉有余。孰能有余以奉天下？ 唯有道者。是以圣人为而不恃，功成而不处，其不欲见贤。

Translation & Meaning

Tao of Heaven, isn't it like a bow? It lowers when the bowstring is pulled high, and raises when the bowstring is pulled low. Tao of Heaven, reduces the excessive, and supplements the insufficient. Tao of Human, however is different, it reduces the insufficient and supplements the excessive. Who can gives out to supplement all that is under heaven when they are excessive? Only those who know Tao can. This is why a sage does the deed without proclaiming, assuming no credit for the contributions, because she does not want her virtues to be seen.

Linguistic & Character Analysis

  • 天 (tiān): heaven / nature / cosmos
  • 之 (zhī): particle: of / possessive / it
  • 道 (dào): The Way / Logos / to speak
  • 其 (qí): its / their / his / her
  • 犹 (yóu): classical character (yóu)
  • 张 (zhāng): classical character (zhāng)
  • 弓 (gōng): classical character (gōng)
  • 与 (yǔ): classical character (yǔ)
  • 高 (gāo): high / exalted
  • 者 (zhě): aspects / those who / things
  • 抑 (yì): classical character (yì)
  • 下 (xià): under / earthly realm / humble
  • 举 (jǔ): classical character (jǔ)
  • 有 (yǒu): manifest being / cosmos / to possess
  • 余 (yú): classical character (yú)
  • 损 (sǔn): classical character (sǔn)
  • 不 (bù): not / un- / without
  • 足 (zú): classical character (zú)
  • 补 (bǔ): classical character (bǔ)
  • 而 (ér): yet / and / but
  • 人 (rén): person / human
  • 则 (zé): classical character (zé)
  • 然 (rán): classical character (rán)
  • 以 (yǐ): in order to / by means of
  • 奉 (fèng): classical character (fèng)
  • 孰 (shú): classical character (shú)
  • 能 (néng): fruitful / capacity / ability
  • 唯 (wéi): only / precisely because
  • 是 (shì): this / therefore
  • 圣 (shèng): sage / enlightened one
  • 为 (wèi): act / deem / become
  • 恃 (shì): classical character (shì)
  • 功 (gōng): achievement / merit
  • 成 (chéng): complete / fulfill
  • 处 (chù): stays / dwells / position
  • 欲 (yù): intent / desire / craving
  • 见 (jiàn): see / display / manifest
  • 贤 (xián): talents / worthy / clever