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 he less-than-enough to swell the more-than-enough. Who except a man of the Tao can put his superabundant riches to the services 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.