Don't do evil things because they are small, and don't do good things because they are small.
Don't do bad things because they are small, and don't do good things because they are small. During the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Beiwen said: "Do not do evil because it is small, and do not do good because it is small." This sentence talks about the principles of life. Evil, even small evils, cannot be done; good, even small good deeds must be done.
Source
Notes by Pei Song in "The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms·Book of Shu·The Biography of the First Master".
Allusion
These are the words in Liu Bei's last edict to his son Liu Chan before his death, urging him to improve his morality and make a difference. Good things should start from small things, and if they add up, they can become big things; bad things should also be prevented from small things, otherwise, if they add up, they can also lead to big things. Therefore, don’t not do good things just because they are small, and don’t do bad things just because they are small. If a small amount of good is accumulated, it will become a great good that benefits the world, while if a small amount of evil is accumulated, it will be "enough to disrupt the country." This sentence also appears in "The Analects". This sentence is also a Confucian classic and is recited by Confucians. "Goodness" and benevolence are also the goals pursued by Confucians. Liu Beiwen of the Three Kingdoms said: "Do not do evil because it is small, and do not do good because it is small." This sentence talks about the principle of being a human being. As long as it is good, you must do it even if it is a small good; as long as it is "evil", you must not do even a small evil. This sentence is worth letting students know and keep in mind.
Original text
"My first illness was diarrhea, but later it became complicated with other diseases, and I was almost unable to help myself. I am not called young at fifty, and I am more than sixty years old. Where can I go?" I will not hurt myself again, but I will take my brother into consideration. I will tell you that your wisdom has greatly improved, and it is beyond your expectation. If you can do this, why should I encourage you? Do it when the evil is small, do not do it because the good is small, only the virtuous and virtuous can obey others. If your father is weak in virtue, do not imitate him. Tao and Shang Jun's letters are beneficial to people's minds and wisdom. I heard that the prime minister wrote that Shen, Han, Guanzi, and Liu Tao have completed it. If it is not sent, the Tao will be lost. You can update it yourself."