soft : #10, #36, #43, #52, #55, #78 weak : #3, #29, #36, #40, #55, #78 die/death : #6, #33, #42, #50, #67, #74, #75, #80 hard : #36, #43, #78 follower of death and follower of life : #50 Chapter Seventy Seven 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 (而) 奉 [於] 天 下 唯 有 道 者 • 是 以 聖 人 為 而 不 恃 功 成 而 不 處 • 其 不 欲 見 賢 • The Way of heaven, how it is just like stretching a bow? He who is high is pressed down by it. He who is low is lifted by it. He who has excess is reduced by it. He who does not have enough is filled by it. The Way of heaven Reduces what has excess and fills what does not have enough. The Way of people on the other hand is not like this, And takes from those who do not have enough in order to offer it to those who have too much. Who can have too much and offer it to the world? Only he who possesses Dao. Thus the sage : Acts, but is not concerned with the results. Accomplishes his tasks, but does not dwell on them. He does not desire to display his virtue. The Way of heaven, how it is just like stretching a bow ? He who is high is pressed down by it. He who is low is lifted by it. He who has excess is reduced by it. [decrease] He who does not have enough is filled by it. The Way of heaven Reduces what has excess and fills what does not have enough. [decrease] The Way of people on the other hand is not like this, [<contrast>] And takes from [those who] do not have enough in order to offer it to [those who] have too much. [decreases] [excess] Who can have too much and offer it to the world2? [excess] Only he who possesses Dao. Thus2 the sage2 : Acts, but is not concerned with [the results]. [depend upon,rely upon] Accomplishes his tasks, but does not dwell on them. [results,achievements] He does not desire to display his virtue. [show] Notes Cross-references Way of heaven : #9, #47, #73, #79, #81 he who “possesses Dao” : #15, #23, #24, #31, #65 acting but not concerned : #2, #10, #51 accomplishing tasks : #2, #9, #17, #34 and not dwelling on them : #2, #9 not displaying oneself (showing off) : #22, #24, #47, #72 Chapter Seventy Eight