Resentment is aroused when a man fails to receive rewards for a favour he has done others. So, instead of expecting rewards, he should forget about them, and therefore his resentment as well.
This chapter focuses on the dangers of excess and the wisdom of moderation. Lao Tzu questions the human pursuit of fame, wealth, and external validation (“Which is more harmful: gain or loss?”) and warns that overaccumulation invites ruin.