It means that although things are small, don't make decisions and actions without authorization; It is not the duty of being a child to make mistakes and worry parents without authorization. Don't hide anything from your parents, even if it is small. There is no windtight wall in the world. If you hide something, even if you are very cautious, you will inevitably be discovered by your parents one day, and then your parents will be sad.

From Li Yuxiu's Disciples Rules in Qing Dynasty.

Original: Although things are small, don't be good at it. If you are good at it, you will lose money. Although things are small, don't hide them, if you hide them, it hurts your heart.

Extended data:

Creation background

During the reign of Kangxi, the ruling class actively pursued the recognition of Confucius and Mencius' ideology and culture for the purpose of long-term rule. Including respecting Confucius, advocating the study of four books and five classics, and respecting Confucius as the "great teacher of great achievement and holy propaganda"; Overhaul the Confucius Temple, worship Confucius in the Spring and Autumn Period, and proclaim that Confucius and Confucianism are the foundation of the country.

1670, according to the core of Confucianism, sixteen "oracles" were formulated and issued as people's ideological norms and behavioral norms: filial piety should be valued; The clan of Benedict is based on Zhao Yong; Dispute with the township party with interest; Pay attention to agriculture and mulberry to get enough food and clothing; Be thrifty to cherish money; Long school to end the scholar's study; Discern heresy and worship orthodoxy; Speak the law as a warning to stupidity; Ming comity with thick customs; Take care of one's own business to set the aspirations of the people.

Training children to prohibit non-behavior; Interest false accusation with all goodness; Avoid hiding bandits so as not to implicate them; Finish the money and food to save the department; Joint protection against thieves; Relieve hatred and anger before life. In addition, Kangxi recommended seclusion in the mountains in the twelfth year, opened a museum of Ming history in the sixteenth year, and recommended erudition in the seventeenth year, attracting celebrities and promoting Confucianism. These measures have promoted the development of Confucianism.

It is in this literary atmosphere that Disciples Rules was written. Its original name was Xun Meng Wen, and the original author Li Yuxiu was a scholar in Kangxi period of Qing Dynasty. Focusing on "Learning while Writing" in The Analects of Confucius, he listed the rules and regulations that disciples should abide by at home, going out, treating others, receiving things and studying. Later, Jia Cunren revised it and renamed it Disciples Rules.