Easy to enroll a thousand soldiers But, ah, one general!

Similar sayings:

Forethought is easy, repentance hard Forethought is easy, repentance hard
If there is a strong general, there will be no weak soldiers If there is a strong general, there will be no weak soldiers
We forget even incense in easy times; come hard times, we embrace the Buddha’s feet We forget even incense in easy times; come hard times, we embrace the Buddha’s feet
Water and words are easy to pour but impossible to recover Water and words are easy to pour but impossible to recover
Easy to know men’s faces, not their hearts Easy to know men’s faces, not their hearts

Chinese sayings and proverbs