«لَا يِضْرَبِ الدِّيبْ وَلَا يْجَوَّعِ الْغَنَمْ»

The saying describes a person who keeps on good terms with two hostile parties and is careful never to harm either one. He does this because their ongoing rivalry serves his own interests. He neither removes the threat nor turns against those it endangers. The tone is disapproving, not praise for even-handedness.

In the image, the wolf and the sheep stand for two opposed parties, not actual herding. The wolf goes unbeaten and the sheep are not left hungry. Both are left standing, and so is the hostility between them, because that balance is what suits him.

Use this critically of someone who plays both sides of a conflict, staying friendly with each party because the continuing feud serves his own ends. The phrase points to calculated self-interest rather than sincere neutrality or peacemaking.