小国
原文
和大怨，必有馀怨；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。
王弼注
和大怨，必有馀怨，不明理其契以致大怨已至而德和之，其伤不复，故有馀怨也。安可以为善？是以圣人执左契，左契防怨之所由生也。而不责于人。有德司契，有德之人念思其契，不念怨生而后责于人也。无德司彻。彻，司人之过也。天道无亲，常与善人。
英文 · James Legge
(Adherence to bond or covenant) 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 conditions favourable to himself. In the Way of Heaven, there is no partiality of love; it is always on the side of the good man.