From the Forged Old Text of Shangshu:

與其殺不辜，寧失不經，好生之德，洽于民心，茲用不犯于有司。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]

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与其杀不辜，宁失不经，好生之德，洽于民心，兹用不犯于有司。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

From: Forged Old Text of the Book of Documents, circa 3^rd – 4^th century CE

Yǔqí shā bùgū, níng shī bùjīng, hǎoshēngzhīdé, qià yú mínxīn, zī yòng bù fàn yú yǒusī. [Pinyin]

Rather than put an innocent person to death, you will run the risk of irregularity and error. This life-loving virtue has penetrated the minds of the people, and this is why they do not render themselves liable to be punished by your officers.

好生之德

1. life-loving virtue; the virtue of cherishing lives and not killing people and animals