He has him under his thumb.
More Dutch Proverbs:
He buys honey dear who has to lick it off thorns.Dutch
Hew not too high, lest a chip fall in thine eye.
Dutch
Death keeps no almanack.
Dutch
Don't throw away your old shoes until you have got new ones.
Dutch
Blossoms are not fruits.
Dutch
It is hard to catch hares with unwilling hounds.
Dutch