Duke Jing of Qi discussed state governance with his minister, Yan Zi. Yan Zi suggested they must first rid the temple of mice.
The Duke was puzzled.
Yan Zi explained, "The temple is built of wood, with walls plastered over the timber. Mice nesting within pose a serious problem. If you smoke them out, you risk burning the wood. If you flood them out, you risk damaging the walls. Caught in this dilemma, the mice remain. Similarly, the monarch's favored ministers and servants are like these temple mice. At court, they befuddle the ruler; outside, they bully and oppress the people. Failure to remove them unsettles the state. Yet removal is difficult, for they often enjoy the monarch's protection and pardon."