Bows Quote by Laozi
“Heaven's Way is like stretching a bow. The high is lowered and the low is raised. Excess is reduced and deficiency is replenished. Heaven's Way reduces excess and replenishes deficiency. People's Way is not so. They reduce the deficient and supply the excessive.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Tao Te Ching, Chapter 28, attributed to Laozi, 6th century BC
Heaven’s Way balances extremes, lowering the high and raising the low, while human ways tend to invert this, reducing the deficient and increasing the excess.
In simple terms: Natural order seeks balance; human actions often disrupt it.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with natural balance, not personal gain.
Themes
balance
humility
natural order
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
ethical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- resource management
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Taoist philosophy
yin-yang
equilibrium
Questions to Reflect On
- In what areas of life do you overcompensate?
- How can you practice humility to restore balance?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist humility, making balance difficult.
