Tao Te Ching Chapter 79 – 任契 (道德经 第79章)
Paul PengShare
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 79: The Strictest Duty
道德经 第七十九章 · 任契 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
When a reconciliation is effected between two parties after a great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge remaining in the mind of the one who was wrong. And how can this be beneficial to the other?
Therefore, to guard against this, the sage 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 Dao regards only the conditions of the engagement, while he who has not those attributes regards only the exactions of the engagement. As shown in Chapter 78, the sage who accepts the nation’s shame becomes its true sovereign — the same spirit of bearing rather than demanding.
The system of Heaven has no partialities; it is for ever on the side of the good man. As shown in Chapter 73, Heaven’s net is vast and loses nothing — good and evil each receive their due in the fullness of time.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 79 addresses the aftermath of conflict. Even when great hatred is reconciled, a residue of resentment remains — this is the nature of deep wounds. The sage’s response is not to demand repayment but to hold the left tally: the creditor’s half of the contract, kept quietly, without pressing. The virtuous person tends to the agreement itself; the virtueless person tends to the enforcement. The closing line is one of the most quoted in the Tao Te Ching: Heaven has no favourites — it is always on the side of the good.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi explains that reconciling great hatred leaves lingering resentment. The sage holds the left tally and does not demand repayment. The virtuous tend to the contract; the virtueless tend to the exaction. Heaven favors the good.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong says after great hatred, even reconciliation leaves lingering resentment. The ancient sage simply kept the tally — a token of good faith — and did not resort to written law. Heaven favors the good person who trusts rather than the one who scrutinizes others.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
Read his full story →
