22. Shut the door to catch the thief
“Shut the door to catch the thief” is a phrase where one surrounds an enemy to isolate his surroundings for only then would it be easy to capture him. If the enemy escapes, it will definitely regroup, sowing future conflicts. That is why there can be no mess-up when catching the enemy.
When you seal off your enemy’s movements, you will be able to set up the grand stage to capture the enemy. In a psychological standpoint, breaking away the enemy’s mental capacity little by little until all reasons, opinions, and thoughts are abandoned will ultimately bring a safe and easy capture. Giving chase when the enemy has left your net can bring misfortune. That is what it means to “shut the door to catch the thief“.
2 Comments
Seems like a lot of work. Why not just build a moat, stock it with piranha and be done with it?
What you are suggesting is trying to keep people out. This phrase means to capture people in order to have them to submit to you in order to strengthen your power.