《韩非子·南面》
大凡功劳，它的利益多，它的代价少，这才可以叫做功劳；现在耗费大的无罪，而收效小的有功，臣子就会以大的耗费去取得小的收效，小的收效即使取得了，而君主仍是遭受了损害。
凡功者，其入多，其出少，乃可谓功。今大费无罪而少得为功，则人臣出大费而成小功，小功成而主亦有害。
Speaking generally, an accomplishment means great benefits and small costs. Only this can be called an accomplishment. Nowadays, great expenses are not regarded as a fault, while small achievements are deemed a merit. As a result, subjects will incur great expenses to obtain small achievements. Even if such small achievements are achieved, the monarch will nevertheless suffer damage.