Yuān yǒu tóu; zhài yǒuzhǔ.*

冤有頭, 債有主。

Lit [Every] wrong has [its] source, [and every] debt has [its] incurrer.

Fig The culprit must pay for his wrong, and the debtor for his debt. One should complain to or take one's revenge on the person who caused the trouble in the first place.

Note [Cf. WM, chap. 26; Jīn Píng Méi (JPM), chap. 87.]

Topics DEBT JPM JUSTICE REPAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY REVENGE TROUBLE WM WRONG