--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Heaven's Way is like stretching a bow…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/laozi-147_bows_heaven-s-way-is-like-stretching-a-bow-th_2131184.jpg" --- # Heaven's Way is like stretching a bow. The high is lowered… ![“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.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/laozi-147_bows_heaven-s-way-is-like-stretching-a-bow-th_2131184.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/laozi-147_bows_heaven-s-way-is-like-stretching-a-bow-th_2131184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/laozi-147_bows_heaven-s-way-is-like-stretching-a-bow-th_2131184.jpg) > “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.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bows/) [Deficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deficiency/) [Excess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess/) [Excess Reduced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess-reduced-4393146/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-way-291722/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Raised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raised/) [Replenished Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/replenished-heaven-4393145/) [Stretching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stretching/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Reduces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-reduces-4393144/) ## Related quotes > [To retreat after a work well done is Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/to-retreat-after-a-work-well-done-is-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Heaven's Way does not contend, yet it certainly triumphs. It does not speak, yet it certainly answers. It does not summon, yet things come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-s-way-does-not-contend-yet-it-certainly-triumphs-it-does-not/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Heaven's Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-s-way-gives-no-favors-it-always-remains-with-good-people/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better? Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/why-waste-time-proving-over-and-over-how-great-you-are-when-you-could/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/as-it-acts-in-the-world-the-tao-is-like-the-bending-of-a-bow-the-top/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The path to heaven lies through heaven, and all the way to heaven is heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/the-path-to-heaven-lies-through-heaven-and-all-the-way-to-heaven-is/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Some second in heaven is a way of being silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-second-in-heaven-is-a-way-of-being-silent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every man must get to Heaven his own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-the-great/every-man-must-get-to-heaven-his-own-way/) [Frederick The Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-the-great/) > [I have always thought that Heaven is a place for people who had had a good life, but that is not true. God is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/i-have-always-thought-that-heaven-is-a-place-for-people-who-had-had-a/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [Earth is only a pale version of heaven, not the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-laurie/earth-is-only-a-pale-version-of-heaven-not-the-other-way-around/) [Greg Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-laurie/) > [There is no way to work your way to God. There is no way to climb up to heaven. There is only one way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-no-way-to-work-your-way-to-god-there-is-no-way-to-climb-up/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/the-bible-shows-the-way-to-go-to-heaven-not-the-way-the-heavens-go/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Never forget that the road to Heaven is the Way of the Cross. Jesus has called us to follow Him, bearing the Cross as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-philippine-duchesne/never-forget-that-the-road-to-heaven-is-the-way-of-the-cross-jesus/) [Rose Philippine Duchesne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-philippine-duchesne/) > [All religions must be tolerated for every man must get to heaven in his own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-religions-must-be-tolerated-for-every-man-must-get-to-heaven-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Bows quotes > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-with-borrow-d-silver-shine-what-you-see-is-none-of-mine-first-i/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [And yet, I do believe there is ultimately meaning in the chaos, and also in the doldrums. What I resist is not the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/and-yet-i-do-believe-there-is-ultimately-meaning-in-the-chaos-and/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [There are ceremonious bows that repel one like a cudgel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/there-are-ceremonious-bows-that-repel-one-like-a-cudgel/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [Pure essence, and pure matter, and the two joined into one were shot forth without flaw, like three bright arrows from a three-string bow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/pure-essence-and-pure-matter-and-the-two-joined-into-one-were-shot/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Steadying herself with both hands on the table, she managed an awkward bow… 'Your Highness,' she stammered, head lowered... The prince flinched and cast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/steadying-herself-with-both-hands-on-the-table-she-managed-an-awkward/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [I did archery when I was in high school. In our gym class we had two weeks of archery, and I remember taking the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barrowman/i-did-archery-when-i-was-in-high-school-in-our-gym-class-we-had-two/) [John Barrowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barrowman/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Remove but the temptations of leisure, and the bow of Cupid will lose its effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/remove-but-the-temptations-of-leisure-and-the-bow-of-cupid-will-lose/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Pain and pleasure, good and evil, come to us from unexpected sources. It is not there where we have gathered up our brightest hopes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/pain-and-pleasure-good-and-evil-come-to-us-from-unexpected-sources-it/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [A lot of celebrities just want money, fame, power, fancy cars, houses all over the world and have people BOW DOWN to them. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-manson/a-lot-of-celebrities-just-want-money-fame-power-fancy-cars-houses-all/) [Shirley Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-manson/) > [Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/much-bending-breaks-the-bow-much-unbending-the-mind/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Things don't always tie up in a nice bow. Even when you make strides with people and relationships, it's complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-tveit/things-don-t-always-tie-up-in-a-nice-bow-even-when-you-make-strides/) [Aaron Tveit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-tveit/) > [I pray everywhere--in the shower, on a plane, in traffic, you name it. When I feel like I have had enough, I will literally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-harmon/i-pray-everywhere-in-the-shower-on-a-plane-in-traffic-you-name-it/) [Angie Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-harmon/) [Browse all 739 Bows quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bows/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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. 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