Do not set the forest on fire to drive out the wolves.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Burning a forest to remove wolves pictures a remedy destroying the surrounding good with the perceived problem. The saying warns against disproportionate action.

What the words are saying

The fire-and-animal scene is an analogy rather than a procedure. A useful application identifies actual costs and alternatives without assuming a group of people is comparable to pests. A concern may need a response, but the desired result does not justify indiscriminate damage.

Everyday example

A team considers whether a proposed solution would harm more than the specific issue it aims to address.

When to use it

Use it to discuss proportionate response with alternatives assessed.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.