Dǎle luózi, mǎ yě jīng.

打了騾子, 馬也驚。

Lit [If one] beats a mule the horse(s) will also be frightened.

Fig If one is punished the others will be frightened; punish one as an example to others.

Note [See also dǎ de yāhuan above, and the colloquial súyǔ expression: shā jī gěi hóu kàn, “(to) kill a chicken in order to frighten the monkeys.”]

Topics EXAMPLE LESSONS PUNISHMENT suyu