Verse 79

Even though a truce is made between great enemies,
some enmity is bound to remain.
How can this be beneficial?

Therefore, the True Person
undertakes the obligations of the agreement
but makes no claim upon others.

The person who has Virtue shares with others.
The person who lacks Virtue takes from others.

The way of heaven has no favorites;
it always remains with what is good.

Verse 80

In a small country with few people:
Though there are machines that would increase
production ten to a hundred miles
they are not used.

The people take death seriously and do not travel about.
Though they have boats and carriages no one uses them.
Though they have armour and weapons,
there is no occasion to display them.
The people give up writing
and return to the knotting of cords.

They are satisfied with their food.
They are pleased with their clothes.
They are content with their homes.
They are happy in their simple ways.

Even though they live within sight of another country
and can hear dogs barking and cocks crowing in it,
still the people grow old and die
without ever coming into conflict.

Verse 81

Sincere words are not elegant; elegant words are not sincere.
The good person does not argue; the person who argues is not good.

The wise do not have great learning; those with great learning are not wise.
True Persons do not hoard.

Using all they have for others, they still have more.
Giving all they have to others, they are richer than before.

The way of heaven is to benefit and not to harm.
The way of the True Reason is to assist without striving
in the unfolding of the story of the earth.