禪林寶訓 2.35

2.35

圓悟曰。住持以眾智為智眾心為心。恒恐一物不盡其情。一事不得其理。孜孜訪納惟善是求。當問理之是非。詎論事之大小。若理之是。雖靡費大而作之何傷。若事之非。雖用度小而除之何害。蓋小者大之漸。微者著之萌。故賢者慎初聖人存戒。涓涓不遏終變桑田。炎炎靡除卒燎原野。流煽既盛禍災已成。雖欲救之固無及矣。古云。不矜細行終累大德。此之謂也（與佛智書）。

Yuanwu said, "An abbot takes the wisdom of the multitude as wisdom, and the mind of the multitude as mind, constantly fearing that a single thing will not have its nature fully understood, or that a single matter will not accord with its principle. Diligently consulting and adopting, they seek only goodness. One should ask whether the principle is right or wrong; why debate whether the matter is great or small? If the principle is right, though the expenditure be great, what harm is there in carrying it out? If the matter is wrong, though the expense be small, what harm is there in eliminating it? For the small is the beginning of the great, and the minute is the sprout of the conspicuous. Therefore the worthy are cautious at the start, and the sage maintains vigilance. A trickle not stopped will eventually turn into mulberry fields; a flare not quenched will ultimately burn the plains. Once the spread has grown fierce and disaster has formed, though one wishes to remedy it, it will already be too late. The ancients said, 'Not being scrupulous about minor conduct will ultimately compromise great virtue.' This is what it means." (Letter to Fozhi)