The Master said, "Specious words confound virtue. Want of forbearance in small matters confounds great plans."
子曰、巧言亂德、小不忍、則亂大謀。
Analects 15.27
The same idea in other traditions
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.
A man is not learned because he talks much; he who is patient, free from hatred and fear, he is called learned.
By conquering anger he obtains patience; he acquires no Karman productive of anger, and destroys the Karman he had acquired before.
Give me the cup! a voice rings in mine ears / Crying: “Bear patiently the bitter years! / For all thine ills, I send thee heavenly grace. …
Let patience be your purpose in life; implant this within your being. In this way, you will grow into a great river; you will not break off into a tiny stream.