Chapter 79

1. When a reconciliation¹ is effected (between two parties) after a great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge² remaining (in the mind of the one who was wrong). And how can this be beneficial (to the other)?

2. Therefore (to guard against this), the sage³ keeps the left-hand portion of the record of the engagement, and does not insist on the (speedy) fulfilment of it by the other party. (So), he who has the attributes (of the Tao) regards (only) the conditions of the engagement, while he who has not those attributes regards only the conditions favourable⁴ to himself.

3. In the Way of Heaven, there is no partiality of love; it is always on the side of the good man.

       和大怨，必有余恕，安可以为善？
       是以圣人执左契而不责于人。
       有德司契，无德司彻。
       天道无亲，常与善人。

【译文】
       和解深重的怨恨，必然还会残留难以消解的余怨，这怎么能算是完善？因此，圣人凭契约关系来确立自己的主导地位，绝不无依据地责成于人。有德的统治监察契约的订立与履行，无德的统治注重于税赋的收敛，只索取无条件的单向供奉。完善的系统运营机理是普遍平等，无所偏爱，但又具有奖掖良善的健全功效。

1 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

2 grudge   

n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做

参考例句：

• I grudge paying so much for such inferior goods.我不愿花这么多钱买次品。
• I do not grudge him his success.我不嫉妒他的成功。

3 sage   

n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的

参考例句：

• I was grateful for the old man's sage advice.我很感激那位老人贤明的忠告。
• The sage is the instructor of a hundred ages.这位哲人是百代之师。

4 favourable   

adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的

参考例句：

• The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
• We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。