[throw something at a rat,but afraid to break the vase;caution in taking action;burn not your house to rid it of the mouse;spare the rat to save the dishes;those who live in grass house should not throw stones] 投打靠近器物的老鼠怕伤了器物。比喻想打击坏人而又有所顾忌,怕伤害好人而不敢作为
◎ 鼠窃狗盗 shǔqiè-gǒudào(1) [play petty tricks on the sly like rats that filch and dogs that snatch] 指小偷小盗 此特群盗鼠窃狗盗耳,何足置之齿牙间!——《史记·刘敬叔孙通列传》(2) 也作“鼠窃狗偷”自隋朝维绝,宇县瓜分,小则鼠窃狗偷,大则鲸吞虎据。——《旧唐书·萧铣等传论》-----------------国语辞典:像鼠狗般的偷盗。比喻行为偷偷摸摸、盗窃小利的人。《新唐书.卷一○七.陈子昂传》:「傥鼠窃狗盗,西入陕郊,东犯虎牢,取敖仓一抔粟,陛下何与遏之?」也作「狗盗鼠窃」、「狗偷鼠窃」、「鼠窃狗偷」。反江洋大盗