Bava Batra

is worth ninety [zuz], and the reason why one valued it at twenty [sela]  is because he had underestimated  it by ten [zuz], and he who valued it at a maneh overestimated  it by ten [zuz]. On the contrary! [Let it be assumed that] the land is worth a hundred and ten [zuz] and that he who valued it at a maneh underestimated  it, by ten [zuz], and he who said thirty  overestimated  it by ten [zuz]?  At all events one should adopt the first two, since both do not exceed the sum of one maneh.  The others [who] said: [The difference] between them is calculated and divided by three, hold the opinion [that] the land is worth ninety-three [zuz] and a third; [and] that he who valued it at twenty [sela'] underestimated  it by thirteen [zuz] and a third; he who valued it at a maneh overestimated  by thirteen [zuz] and a third. Logically [the latter] should have given a higher  estimate  but the reason why he did not do it  is because he thought. 'It is enough that I have exceeded my colleague's [estimate] by so much' — On the contrary! [Let it be said]: The land is worth a hundred and thirteen [zuz] and a third; he who valued it at a maneh underestimated  it by thirteen [zuz] and a third, and he who valued it at thirty [sela'] overestimated  it by thirteen [zuz] and a third; and logically he should have submitted a higher estimate  [but] he thinks, 'It is enough that I have exceeded my colleague's by so much'? — At all events one should adopt the first two, since both do not exceed the sum of a maneh. R. Huna said: The halachah is in accordance with [the opinion of the] others. R. Ashi said: We do not know the reason  [for the opinion] of the others; shall we administer the law in accordance with their view? The judges of the Exile  taught: [The difference] between them is calculated and divided by three. R. Huna said: The law is in accordance with [the teaching of] the Judges of the Exile. R. Ashi said: We do not know the reason  [for the opinion] of the judges of the Exile, shall we administer the law in accordance with their view? MISHNAH. IF ONE SAYS TO ANOTHER, 'I SELL YOU HALF  A FIELD', A COMPROMISE IS MADE BETWEEN THEM AND HE TAKES THE HALF OF HIS FIELD.  [IF ONE SAYS.] 'I SELL YOU HALF OF IT  ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE', A COMPROMISE IS MADE BETWEEN THEM AND HE TAKES ITS SOUTHERN HALF.  HE  MUST UNDERTAKE [TO SUPPLY]  SPACE FOR THE WALL  [AND] FOR THE BIGGER AND SMALLER TRENCH.  AND WHAT IS [THE WIDTH OF] THE BIGGER TRENCH? SIX HANDBREADTHS;  AND [THAT OF] THE SMALLER ONE, THREE. GEMARA. R. Hiyya b. Abba said in the name of R. Johanan: The buyer takes the poorer [side] of it.  Said R. Hiyya b. Abba to R. Johanan: Surely we have learned that a compromise  was to be made between them? — He replied unto him: While you were [engaged in] eating date-berries in Babylon,  I expounded [this] with the aid of the concluding clause. For in the concluding clause it is taught: [IF ONE SAYS]. 'I SELL YOU HALF OF IT ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE', A COMPROMISE IS MADE BETWEEN THEM AND HE TAKES ITS SOUTHERN HALF. But why, [according to your reasoning,] should a compromise be made between them? Surely he [explicitly] said to him, 'Half of it on the southern side'!  But [you must say that the expression there refers] to the price.  here also [it must be assumed that the expression used refers] to the price. HE MUST UNDERTAKE [TO SUPPLY] THE SPACE FOR THE WALL etc. It was taught: The bigger trench is without and the smaller one is within,  and both [are made] behind the wall [on its outer side]