This Chinese proverb means whoever started the trouble should end it. One should not be more concerned with stopping the bickering than settling the issue. One must get at the root of a problem.
In ancient China, the King of the state of Zhao had a capable Prime Minister and a courageous General serving under him. The General was jealous of the Prime Minister. He told others that he had to risk his life to earn him the rank. The Prime Minister just wagged his tongues to hold a higher position than he. So the General was looking for an opportunity to shame the Prime Minister.
Th Prime Minister explained to his close aides that he could not be seen to be at enmity towards the General. The state would be attacked by its enemy if they were not united.
When the words were relayed to the General, he felt ashamed of himself. He then bared his back, shouldered a thorny stick, and went to apologise to the Prime Minister. The General wanted the Prime Minister to beat him with the thorny stick, but the latter refused. Instead, the two became close friends.
The General 'tied the bell on the tiger' and took it off.
5 October 2010
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