There is this sentence in the History of the Three Kingdoms, but the content is "I would rather be negative than negative".
from: The History of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou in the Western Jin Dynasty
Original:
I would rather be negative than negative.
Translation:
I would rather let others down than others.
Extended information:
Creation background:
The History of the Three Kingdoms written by Chen Shou, like the first three histories, is also a private history compilation. After his death, Fan Qi, Shang Shulang, said in the above table: "Chen Shou wrote The History of the Three Kingdoms, which is full of exhortations, which is beneficial to weathering. Although the elegance is not the same, the quality is straight, and I am willing to record it." It can be seen that after the book "The History of the Three Kingdoms" was completed, it was well received and praised by people at that time.
Chen Shou's narrative is brief, the three books are rarely repeated, and the notes are informative. It is also very cautious in the choice of materials, which has been valued by historians of past dynasties. Historians regard Historical Records, History of Han, History of Later Han and History of the Three Kingdoms as the first four histories and regarded them as biographical historical masterpieces.
The History of the Three Kingdoms is slightly inferior in literary talent as a whole, but there are also many wonderful descriptions. For example, Battle of Red Cliffs and Chen Shou placed relevant historical materials in biographies of Shu Shu Zhuge Liang, Shu Shu Xian Zhu Biography, Wu Shu Lu Su Biography, etc., and made Battle of Red Cliffs vivid through their respective descriptions, especially the dialogue between Wu Shu and their respective monarch and minister, which was very vivid.
Chen Shou can also keep secrets without losing records in his narrative, and promote goodness without hiding shortcomings. In the era when Chen Shou lived, various political relations were complicated, and historical and practical issues were intertwined. Chen Shou made great efforts in reflecting historical truth in a tortuous way.