fáng​mín​zhī​kǒu​shèn​yú​fáng​chuān

to silence the people is harder than to dam a river

Senses

防民之口甚于防川/ 防民之口甚於防川 fáng​mín​zhī​kǒu​shèn​yú​fáng​chuān to silence the people is harder than to dam a river

Stopping the people's voices from being heard is more dangerous and difficult than stopping a river with a dam; suppression of public opinion will eventually lead to a disaster.

References

variant 防民之口甚于防川/防民之口甚於防川 防民之口,甚于防水/防民之口,甚於防水
variant 防民之口甚于防川/防民之口甚於防川 防人之口,甚于防川/防人之口,甚於防川