Shī zhī háolí, chā yǐ qiān lǐ.

失之毫釐, 差以千里。

Lit A miscalculation of a millimeter [causes] a discrepancy of a thousand lǐ.

Fig An error the breadth of a single hair can lead one a thousand leagues astray; a small discrepancy can lead to a great error.

Note [Cf. Shǐ Jì: Tài Shǐ Gōng Zìxù; see also chā zhī háolí above; one lǐ equals one-half of a kilometer.]

Topics CAUTION MISTAKES Shǐ Jì Tài_Shǐ_Gōng_Zìxù