Who said "Chase small gains and the big work never gets done."?

Confucius (551-479 BC). Source: Analects 13.17.

Is "Chase small gains and the big work never gets done." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

見小利，則大事不成

Chase small gains and the big work never gets done.

Confucius, Analects 13.17

What it means

Every quick win you grab spends attention the long project needed. Small advantages are easy to see and easy to chase. Keep your eyes on the thing that will matter in ten years.

The source

"Chase small gains and the big work never gets done." Confucius said it in Analects 13.17. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"見小利，則大事不成。"

Original Chinese, Analects 13.17. Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Confucius (551-479 BC). Teacher from the state of Lu whose conversations, collected by his students as the Analects, shaped two thousand years of Chinese ethics. He taught that character is built through learning, ritual and honest self-examination.

Questions

What does "Chase small gains and the big work never gets done." mean?: Every quick win you grab spends attention the long project needed. Small advantages are easy to see and easy to chase. Keep your eyes on the thing that will matter in ten years.
Who said "Chase small gains and the big work never gets done."?: Confucius (551-479 BC). Source: Analects 13.17.
What is the original Chinese?: 見小利，則大事不成。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
Is "Chase small gains and the big work never gets done." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Chase small gains and the big work never gets done." (Confucius, Analects 13.17, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/chase-small-gains-and-the-big-work-never