For good natural parts are impaired by sloth; while inferior ability is mended by training: and while simple things escape the eyes of the careless, … - Plutarch

Under him everything was done with both zeal and skill. He neglected all other duties, when engaged upon these, neither omitting any part nor adding any, arguing with his companions, when they blamed him for his care about trifles, that though a man might think that heaven was merciful and forgiving of negligences, yet that habitual disregard and overlooking of such points was dangerous for the state, seeing that no one ever begins till some flagrant breach of the law to disturb the constitution, but those who are careless of accuracy in small things soon begin to neglect the most important.

The one who is tipping over cannot straight up someone else.

Lycurgus did not regard sons as the peculiar property of their fathers, but rather as the common property of the state,