77.

Heaven’s way is like stringing a bow:

drawing down the higher,

raising the lower.

Possessing abundance? Diminish it.

Not enough? Supplement it.

Heaven’s way reduces surplus

and supplements insufficiency.

The way of people is not like that,

taking tribute from the poor,

providing for the prosperous.

Who possesses abundance

to offer to the world?

Only those possessed of Tao.

Therefore the sage

acts without presumption,

accomplishes without acclamation,

not wanting to reveal his skill.