| 1 |
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Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those
who are skilled (in the Dao) do not dispute (about
it); the
disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know
(the Dao) are not
extensively learned; the extensively learned do not
know it.
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True words are not pleasant; pleasant words are not true. The good are not contentious;
the contentious are not good. The wise are not learned;
the learned are not wise.
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Faithful words are often not pleasant; pleasant words are often not faithful.
Good men do not dispute; the ones who dispute are not
good. The learned men are often not the wise men, nor
the wise men, the learned.
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| 2 |
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The sage does not accumulate (for himself). The more that he expends for others,
the more does he possess of his own; the more that
he gives to others, the more does he have himself.
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The holy man hoards not. The more he does for others, the more he owns himself.
The more he gives to others, the more will he himself
lay up an abundance.
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The wise man does not hoard, but ever working for others, he will the more exceedingly
acquire. Having given to others freely, he himself
will have in plenty.
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