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79
After settling a great dispute
There must be remaining resentments
How can this be considered good？
Therefore the sage holds the left part of the contract
But does not demand payment from the other person
Those who have virtue hold the contract
Those without virtue hold the collections
The Heavenly Tao has no favorites
It constantly gives to the kind people
It doesn't matter how we say 〃no hard feelings；〃 after a bitter dispute； there's bound to be ill…will and negative feelings。 This cannot be a good thing。
Sages don't get into disputes in the first place because they give to others without expecting anything in return。 It is as if they hold the left half of the lending agreement … the lender's copy … but do not use it to extract loan payments from the borrower。
Those who possess virtue are like the sages。 Metaphorically speaking； they also hold the left half of the lending agreement。 They give； they do not take。
Those who lack virtue are like the tax collectors。 It is as if they hold the collections notice over other people。 They take from everyone and give to no one。
Given this is the case； how can it be that generous souls prosper while misers seem to be forever pinching pennies？ Shouldn't those who only take end up with more than those who only give？
It is not because the Tao plays favorites and treats giving people better。 It is because the karmic principle … the Law of Cause and Effect … ensures that those who give in accordance with the Tao will always receive abundantly。
Notes
When the ancient Chinese people began building their civilization some five thousand years ago； they found themselves in need of a way to keep track of debts。
The method had to somehow be proof against forgery； so less trustworthy individuals wouldn't borrow funds and then deny it or claim a smaller amount。 Also； this was back in the days before the invention of paper； so that made the problem even more difficult。
What they came up with was clever。 Lender and borrower would get a piece of wood or tree bark； and carve the record of their transaction and agreement on it。 Then； this contract would be split apart in the middle。 The left part goes to the lender； the right to the borrower。
Thus； the left side of the contract is the lender's proof that he has a right to demand payments。 When the loan has been paid； the lender gives the left side to the borrower； thus making the contract whole。
Because the tear in the wood or bark is uneven； it serves as the perfect and natural way to authenticate。 A forged left side will never be able to match the right side … a brilliant solution。
The Tao of Giving
Someone who gives in accordance with the Tao observes the following guidelines：
1） Appropriate amount。 Tao cultivators would not give so much that they damage their own ability to continue giving in the future。 The important thing is to be like a small stream that keeps flowing； as opposed to an upended barrel that splashes water everywhere and has no more to give。
2） Detachment。 Tao cultivators give with no expectations or attachments。 They give only for the sake of giving； not to win recognition or showcase their generosity。
3） Based on need。 Tao cultivators look for opportunities where giving would make the most significant difference for someone in need。 In a snowstorm； they would deliver coal to someone who has trouble staying warm。 This may not be very expensive to do； but it has meaning for the recipient that is priceless。
4） Not necessarily tangible。 Tao cultivators recognize that material things and monetary values are not the only ways to give。 They are also ready to give an encouraging word； a cheery greeting； a smile； a blessing； a pat on the back； a helping hand； recognition； forgiveness； courtesy； praise。。。。 The world is full of wonderful ways to give。
80
Small country； few people
Let them have many weapons but not use them
Let the people regard death seriously
And not migrate far away
Although they have boats and chariots
They have no need to take them
Although they have armors and weapons
They have no need to display them
Let the people return to tying knots and using them
Savor their food； admire their clothes
Content in their homes； happy in their customs
Neighboring countries see one another
Hear the sounds of roosters and dogs from one another
The people； until they grow old and die
Do not go back and forth with one another
The ideal place is a small country with few people in it。 This place is free of conflict and strife。 Even though they have hundreds of military instruments； they don't need to use them。 The people treat life…and…death issues with serious regard； and do not need to risk their lives in a dangerous migration to faraway places。
Peace prevails in such a place； so even though the people have boats and chariots； they have no need to use them to get away from this country。 Similarly； even though they are no pacifists and possess armors and weapons； they have no need to show aggression by putting them on display。
The people live simply and return to the old way of life。 They make full use of simple solutions； such as tying knots to record events。 Their food is not elaborate； but they find it delicious； their clothes are not extravagant； and yet beautiful in their elegant simplicity。 Their homes are not luxurious； but they feel content； safe and comfortable in them。 Their customs are down…to…earth； and yet they find them sincere； direct； and joyful。
This country and its neighbors are not far apart。 They are within visual range of one another； as well as hearing range。 While in one country； one can hear the dogs and roosters of a neighboring country。
Despite the close distance between them； there is no friction among these countries。 The people of the region grow old and die without ever getting into petty squabbles with one another。 Because they are content and peaceful； they simply do not engage in back…and…forth deception； contention and retribution with their neighbors。
81
True words are not beautiful
Beautiful words are not true
Those who are good do not debate
Those who debate are not good。
Those who know are not broad of knowledge
Those who are broad of knowledge do not know
Sages do not accumulate
The more they assist others； the more they possess
The more they give to others； the more they gain
The Tao of heaven
Benefits and does not harm
The Tao of sages
Assists and does not contend
Sincere words； spoken honestly； may be blunt and direct。 People who wish to avoid the truth will not find them pleasant。
Soothing； flowery words that appeal to vanity are not truthful。 Such words distort reality in order to deceive or manipulate。
Those who are good in the art of living recognize the futility of arguments； and therefore wisely refrain from engaging in debates。 Sages who possess Te let actions reveal their virtues； they have no need to explain themselves with words。
Conversely； someone who