You are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. Here Iago tries to reassure a disconsolate Cassio that Othello doesn’t really dislike him, but had to punish him and make an example of him for policy reasons. Iago uses the simile of a person beating an innocent dog in front of a strong lion, in order to frighten the lion. Iago is referring to Othello relieving Cassio of his army command.