Al-Mufaddhal ibn Omar narrated the following:
“I, once, was with Imam as-Sadiq (a) when our subject of discussion was good deeds. I said, ‘My deeds are very few,’ but the Imam shouted, ‘What is this saying? You should seek Allah’s forgiveness. To have few deeds with God-fearing is better than many d eeds that lack it.’ I asked him about the meaning of his words, and he said, ‘A man may serve food (to the poor), act leniently with his neighbors, and receive the guests hospitably, but as soon as a door to a forbidden act is opened before him, he enter s there. This is the big deed that lacks God-fearing. Another man may not have such good deeds, but he keeps himself away from plunging in forbidden acts when he faces some. This is the few deed with God-fearing.’” ( al-Wafi; part 3 page 61 (as quoted from al-Kafi) )