Truthful words are not always pleasing — faithfulness means speaking as it truly is; those that are not pleasing are simple and plain. Pleasing words are not trustworthy — those that speak pleasingly use ornate and embellished language; untrustworthy ones fabricate falsehoods and are full of emptiness. The good do not argue — those who are good cultivate themselves through the Dao; they do not seek colorful or ornate words. Those who argue are not good — arguers speak with cleverness and eloquence; those who are not good bring about misfortune through their tongues. A mountain that contains jade will have its mountain excavated; a river with pearls will see its depths disturbed; those who speak eloquently and much will lose their lives. The wise do not boast widely.

The "wise" refers to those who understand the Dao. Those who do not boast widely guard the unity of the One. Those who boast widely are not wise — they have much knowledge and experience but lose the essential truth. The sage does not accumulate — the sage accumulates virtue rather than wealth; he uses his virtue to teach the foolish and gives his wealth to the poor. The more one gives to others, the more one has oneself. By giving virtue and moral influence to others, one becomes even more virtuous oneself. The more one gives to people, the greater one's own abundance becomes. When wealth and gifts are given in charity to others, the wealth increases even more — like the light of the sun and moon, it never runs out. The way of Heaven benefits without harming; Heaven creates all things, lovingly nurturing them to grow and develop, causing no harm. The way of the sage is to act without contention. The sage follows Heaven's example in action, transforming and completing affairs without contending with others for merit or fame; thus he is able to preserve his sacred achievements.