Nip it in the bud

On effective censorship:

We must, however, be careful to see that nobody reads it before we take steps, to eliminate it; otherwise, it may disconcert us by rising again-either as a new Idea in somebody’s mind, or even (if somebody has a good memory) in a resurrected body, substantially the same though made of new materials.

In this respect, Herod showed himself much more competent and realistic than Pilate or Caiaphas. He grasped the principle that if you are to destroy the Word, you must do so before it has time to communicate itself. Crucifixion gets there too late.

-Dorothy Sayers, The Mind of the Maker, Ch.8