Line by Line - Verse 77, Line 3

(So Heaven) diminishes where there is superabundance,
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

If the string is too long, it is shortened;
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Reduce that which has excess
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Tao takes energy from where it is,
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Yesterday, we heard from John Heider. Today, we turn to John Lash.

Those who seek to be high with fame and money are violating the principles of Tao and will never find Oneness, peace, and harmony. Thus, the high are lowered. Those who live a life of humility and are moving towards Oneness with all things will succeed because the universe is with them. Thus they achieve the highest pinnacle of human existence.

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