Qín hǔ yì; zòng hǔ nán.

擒虎易, 縱虎難。

Lit Capturing [a] tiger is easy, [but] releasing one [may cause] difficulties (because it will take revenge).

Fig Before one releases an enemy, one had better consider the consequences.

Note [Also said zhuō hǔ róngyì; fàng hǔ nán and fú hǔ zé yì; zòng hǔ zé nán; see also fànghǔ-guīshān above.]

Topics CAUTION CONSEQUENCES DANGER ENEMIES FUTURE STRATEGY THOROUGHNESS