Seventy-seven

Is not existence
Like a drawn bow?

The ends approach,
The height shortens, the narrow widens.
If the string is too long, it is shortened,
If there is not enough, it is made longer.

The living would take from those with too much
Enough for those with too little,
Whereas humanity exacts from those with too little
Still more for those with too much.

Now what person will have enough wealth to share with all humanity,
Save one who can freely draw from the common means?
A sane person needs no better support, no richer reward,
Than this common means,
Through which everyone is everyone's equal.