小杖则受，大杖则走 — “Endure minor punishment but escape from severe beating”

小杖则受，大杖则走 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Endure minor punishment but escape from severe beating”. Refers to a filial son's conduct towards parents' discipline, implying the wisdom of avoiding putting parents in a position to commit a serious wrong. Literally, “Accept small blows, flee from heavy blows”.

Frequency

小杖则受，大杖则走 Pronunciation and Pinyin

小杖则受，大杖则走 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
小	xiǎo	3	small, little, young, minor
杖	zhàng	7	walking stick or staff
则	zé	6	then, in that case
受	shòu	8	receive, suffer, or endure
，	，	—
大	dà	3	large, big, great
杖	zhàng	7	walking stick or staff
则	zé	6	then, in that case
走	zǒu	7	walk, go, leave, move

Example Sentence with 小杖则受，大杖则走

在学习中，我们应有“小杖则受，大杖则走”的智慧，对于一些小错误要勇于承认并改正，但对于可能导致严重后果的错误，则要及时止损，避免更大的损失。

In our studies, we should apply the wisdom of 'enduring light blows, fleeing from heavy blows': bravely admitting and correcting minor errors, but for mistakes that could lead to severe consequences, we should stop losses in time to avoid greater damage.

Origin and Story of 小杖则受，大杖则走

During the Spring and Autumn period, Zeng Can was severely beaten by his father for accidentally damaging some melons. After the beating, he lost consciousness but pretended to be happy upon waking up.

When Confucius heard about this, he was very angry and even refused to acknowledge Zeng Can as his disciple. Confucius explained that Emperor Shun, when disciplined by his father, always 'endured light blows but fled from heavy blows' without losing his filial piety. Zeng Can's actions, however, risked putting his father into an abyss of unrighteousness by potentially causing his death.