Zixia, serving as magistrate of Jufu, asked Confucius about governance. The Master said, “Do not seek speed; do not pursue small gains. If you rush, you will not succeed; if you focus on petty profits, you will never accomplish great things.”
Note
This passage from The Analects of Confucius reflects the Confucian emphasis on steady, pragmatic, and far-sighted governance. Confucius cautions Zixia against the twin pitfalls of haste and short-termism.
- “Do not seek speed” underscores that policy implementation must proceed gradually, respecting objective conditions and public sentiment. Rushing may appear efficient but often leads to disorder, resistance, or flawed execution—ultimately undermining the goal itself.
- “Do not pursue small gains” urges leaders to maintain strategic vision, avoiding distraction by immediate, superficial benefits (such as increased tax revenue or cosmetic achievements) and instead focusing on enduring priorities like social stability, moral education, and institutional integrity. Sacrificing long-term vision for minor advantages inevitably sabotages greater undertakings.
This advice aligns with other Confucian principles such as “first enrich, then educate” and “benevolent rule takes a generation,” all of which view governance as a long-term moral endeavor rather than a series of quick technical fixes. It serves both as practical guidance for administrators and as an ethical reminder: true political achievement lies in sustainable, virtuous order—not in rapid, superficial results.
Further Reading
The Master said, “If someone were to employ me, I could show results within a year, and achieve real success within three years.” Analects 13.10 (Zi Lu)
Both acknowledge that while initial progress is possible, lasting success requires patience and time—rejecting unrealistic expectations of instant transformation.
The Master said, “If a true king were to arise, it would still take a generation before benevolent rule could be realized.” Analects 13.12 (Zi Lu)
Reinforces the idea that profound political change is generational, not instantaneous—consistent with “do not seek speed.”
The Master said, “The noble person understands righteousness; the petty person understands profit.” Analects 4.16 (Li Ren)
Directly contrasts “great things” (guided by righteousness) with “small gains” (driven by profit)—echoing the warning against “seeing small profit.”
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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