fáng​mín​zhī​kǒu​shèn​yú​fáng​shuǐ

to suppress public opinion is dangerous

Senses

防民之口,甚于防水/ 防民之口,甚於防水 fáng​mín​zhī​kǒu​shèn​yú​fáng​shuǐ to suppress public opinion is dangerous

stopping the people's mouths is more dangerous than stopping a flood; it is impossible to suppress the voice of the people

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