Confucian Analects · Analects 13.17
Tsze-hsia, being governor of Chu-fu, asked about government. The Master said, 'Do not be desirous to have things done quickly; do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.'
Chinese · source text【十七章】子夏為莒父宰、問政。子曰、無欲速、無見小利。欲速則不達、見小利則大事不成。
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Confucius · English translation by James Legge · bilingual transcription
James Legge, The Chinese Classics, Volume 1: Confucian Analects · Project Gutenberg #4094
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