when the enemy is defeated, the victorious soldiers can be killed off; when the nimble rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked
A classical Chinese-derived proverb warning that those who serve a purpose may be discarded once that purpose is fulfilled. The literal meaning is 'when the nimble rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked'.
As the saying goes, 'When the nimble rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked'; after he had devoted himself to the company, he was unceremoniously fired.
Standard kanji form of the proverb.
Variant with 煮らる instead of 烹らる; both mean 'to be cooked'.
From classical Chinese literature, often attributed to the Han dynasty strategist Han Xin. The phrase is a metaphorical warning about the fate of those who outlive their usefulness.