# Surplus and shortage: summary

Describes reducing surplus and supplementing shortage, contrasting that pattern with human conduct.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-77-surplus-and-shortage

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · Surplus and shortage](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E4%B8%83%E5%8D%81%E4%B8%83%E7%AB%A0)

> 天之道，其猶張弓與？高者抑之，下者舉之；有餘者損之，不足者補之。天之道，損有餘而補不足。人之道則不然，

Describes reducing surplus and supplementing shortage, contrasting that pattern with human conduct.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Map capacity surpluses and shortages across teams and look for redistribution before adding more work.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using surplus and shortage, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-77-surplus-and-shortage.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0