Dǎ gǒu (zhīqián, yào) kàn zhǔrén (miàn).

Lit (Before) [you] beat a dog, [you'd] better think about [its] master('s face).

Fig Before you attack someone, better first find out who else you are likely to offend.

Note [Rhyme; cf. Jīn Píng Méi (JPM), chap. 79; this is a rhymed version of dǎ gǒu kàn zhǔrén; see also dǎle yātou and yào dǎ, kàn niáng below.]

Topics CAUTION HIERARCHY JPM PRUDENCE rhyme