THE wise man says that one who meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one who takes a dog by the ears. This surely would be bad for the dog and bad also for the one who interfered. The intervener can rarely do any good in such a matter and he may easily do harm. Probably the only way in which such interference can end the original dispute is by turning the wrath of both combatants upon the would-be peacemaker.

ISLIP COLLYER, Principles and Proverbs, page 147