Perhaps the Way of Heaven may be likened to the
stretching of a composite bow! The upper part is
depressed, while the lower is raised. If the bow-string is
too long, it is cut short: if too short, it is added to.
The Way of Heaven diminishes the more-than-enough
to supply the less-than-enough. The way of man is
different: it takes from the less-than-enough to
swell the more-than-enough. Who except a man of the
Tao can put his superabundant riches to the service
of the world?
Therefore, the Sage does his work without setting
any store by it, accomplishes his task without dwelling
upon it. He does not want his merits to be seen.
When I hear those decry services to the poor, or attempts to reign in the excesses of wealth creation, I think of this passage. It reminds me of right and wrong, and it reminds me that the way of man is different from the way of Tao. It reassures me that the instinct towards equality is correct, as well as reminding me that things as we see them unfold, however ugly, are likely the way of man, and should not suprise us.
The final part reminds me of the goodness of philanthropy, upon which so much of worldly wellness relies.
