THE READING ROOM / 老子

Tao Te Ching.

Words to return to.
A little space to read them.

Explore more Daoist classics
道德經

81 CHAPTERS · CHINESE & ENGLISH

Language
Settings
PART II · DE77
CHAPTER 77 OF 81

The Way of Heaven

原文 / CHINESE

天之道,其猶张弓与?高者抑之,下者举之;有馀者损之,不足者补之。天之道,损有馀而补不足。人之道,则不然,损不足以奉有馀。孰能有馀以奉天下,唯有道者。是以圣人为而不恨,功成而不处,其不欲见贤。

ENGLISH / JAMES LEGGE

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.

About the text, translation & sources

The Chinese text follows our sister site, Longhu Mountain. The English is James Legge’s public-domain translation, first published in 1891, transcribed from the Project Gutenberg edition. Paragraph numbering is omitted; wording, parenthetical explanations and period language are retained. Chinese readings vary between editions.

The Tao Te Ching is traditionally attributed to Laozi. Its date and authorship are debated. Chapter titles are reading aids; they are not part of the ancient Chinese chapter text. The reflection boxes on this site are contemporary editorial questions, distinct from the translation.

Reading position, chapter bookmarks and display preferences stay in this browser. No account is needed.

A FEW PATHS THROUGH THE BOOK

Let a question
choose the chapter.

Read in order.
Or follow a thought.

A FIRST ENCOUNTER

Begin with the Way

Names, origins and the language of the Dao.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRENGTH

Water & softness

Images of yielding, flexibility and quiet persistence.

ROOM TO NOTICE

Space & stillness

The usefulness of emptiness and the practice of less.

CARE & HUMILITY

Living with others

Character, leadership and a life beyond accumulation.

FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY

Search the culture, the classic and the collection.

Enlarged product view