Controlling a Flood by Blocking the River

Duke Li of Zhou was a despotic ruler. The people of the country hated him and cursed him. Shao Hu, a senior minister, said to him, "The people can no longer tolerate your harsh rule."

Duke Li was angry. He found a wizard from the State of Wei, and ordered the man to keep a close watch on those who would say bad things about him; whoever the wizard said had slandered him would be put to death. This silenced all the people of the country, who would only look at one another without saying a word when they met on the road.

Duke Li was satisfied. He said to Shao Hu, "I can stop all slander. No one is talking now."

"You have blocked the people's way of expressing themselves," Shao Hu replied. “But blocking the people's mouths is more dangerous than blocking a river full of water. If such a river is blocked, its banks will certainly collapse somewhere, and that will cause great damage. Blocking the people's mouths will produce a similar result. Therefore, one who manages a river should give an outlet to the water in it, and one who rules the people should give them opportunities to speak their minds."