The Paradox of True Wealth — Tao Te Ching

In the book's closing chapter Lao Tzu stacks paradox upon paradox. Sincere words are not fine and fine words are not sincere. Those skilled in the Tao do not dispute about it; the disputatious are not skilled. Those who know are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know.

The sage does not accumulate for himself. The more he expends for others the more he possesses of his own; the more he gives to others the more he has himself. Generosity enlarges what hoarding cannot buy.

With all the sharpness of the Way of Heaven it injures not; with all the doing in the way of the sage he does not strive. True power completes its work without needless harm, argument, or self-display.

Sincere words are not fine, and fine words are not sincere. Those skilled in the Tao do not dispute about it, and the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know it are not extensively learned, and the extensively learned do not know it. The sage does not accumulate for himself. The more he expends for others, the more he possesses of his own. The more he gives to others, the more he has himself. With all the sharpness of the Way of Heaven, it injures not. With all the doing in the way of the sage, he does not strive.