When driving out venal officials and flattering courtiers, it is vital to allow them some way of escape.
If you hem them in too tightly, leaving them no way out, it is like cornering a rat, leaving it with no hole to dart into. The result will be that the rat will chew up all your treasured possessions.
锄奸杜幸，要放他一条去路。若使之一无所容，譬如塞鼠穴者，一切去路都塞尽，则一切好物俱咬破矣。
Notes
Like leaving one hole unsealed when blocking rodent burrows,
Deal with cunning villains by allowing an escape route—
Drive them not to desperation, lest they retaliate with doubled fury.
In quelling opportunists, temper severity with mercy:
Offering retreat prevents mutual destruction born of despair.
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