Start Small, Prevent Big Problems — Tao Te Ching

Lao Tzu opens with the way of the Tao: act without thinking of acting; conduct affairs without feeling their trouble; taste without discerning flavour; consider what is small as great and a few as many; recompense injury with kindness. Effort without drama; response without escalation.

The master anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy, and does things that would become great while they are small. All difficult things arise from a previous state in which they were easy; all great things from one in which they were small. Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, accomplishes the greatest things.

He who lightly promises keeps but little faith; he who continually thinks things easy finds them difficult. Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy, and so never has any difficulties. Promise conservatively; prepare thoroughly; fix small before it grows.