The Original Quote:
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。”
Zǐxià wéi Jǔfù zǎi, wèn zhèng, zǐ yuē: “Wú yù sù, wú jiàn xiǎo lì. Yù sù zé bù dá, jiàn xiǎo lì zé dà shì bù chéng.”
English Translation:
When Zixia became the steward of Jufu, he inquired about governance. The Master said: “Seek not haste, nor fix your gaze on petty gains. For haste leads not to attainment, and a focus on small profits hinders the achievement of great deeds.”
Key Concepts Explained:
- 政 (zhèng): Governance or administration—the art of ruling with moral integrity, not mere bureaucratic control.
- 欲速 (yù sù): The desire for haste—a warning against impatience, which disrupts natural order and long-term growth.
- 小利 (xiǎo lì): Petty gains—short-sighted benefits that obscure the greater good and hinder virtuous leadership.
- 大事 (dà shì): Great deeds—achievements rooted in virtue (仁, rén) and ritual propriety (礼, lǐ), requiring sustained effort and vision.
Cultural Context:
This passage from Book 13 of the *Analects* reflects Confucius’s emphasis on moral cultivation in leadership. During the Warring States period, rulers often sought quick solutions to political instability. Here, Confucius advises Zixia—a disciple known for his literary learning—that true governance demands patience (忍, rěn) and a focus on long-term harmony over transient gains. The principle “欲速则不达” (haste makes waste) has become a enduring Chinese proverb, illustrating the timeless tension between short-term efficiency and enduring virtue. This teaching aligns with the Confucian ideal of the “junzi” (君子, exemplary person), who leads through ethical example rather than expediency.