Original Text:
子夏为莒父宰问政子曰无欲速无见小利欲速则不达见小利则大事不成
Translation:
Other Translations:
Zixia, who was serving as steward of Jifu, asked about governing.
The Master said, “Do not crave speed, and do not be enticed by the prospect of minor gains. If you crave speed, then you will never arrive, and if you are distracted by the prospect of minor gains you will never complete major tasks.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When Zixia became steward of Jufu, he asked about government. The Master said, Don’t try to hurry things; don’t go after petty gain. Try to hurry, and you accomplish nothing. Go after petty gain, and the big undertakings won’t succeed.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.