Is it not just like water?
It floats the highest level but doesn't ever leave.
Lowly flows and becomes loftier,
Yields it and rolls it on top.
Hence, heaven and earth
do not force it to excess,
But give it what it needs.
No one under heaven can stand by,
And that's because he does not do so willingly.
The people all have something,
Yet he takes nothing from them.
Therefore, he has perfected his goodness by not being like other men;
By not distinguishing himself from others.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Who can take his own superabundance and therewith serve all under
heaven? Only he who is in possession of the Tao!
4. 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.