Zuò zéi sān nián, bù dǎ zì zhāo.

做賊三年, 不打自招。

Lit [If one] has been a thief for three years, [even if] not caught [by others], [he will] expose himself [sooner or later].

Fig If one has been doing something evil for a long time, one will expose oneself sooner or later, even if not caught and punished first.

Note [Note: bùdǎ-zìzhāo is an idiom meaning “to make an unforced confession.”]

Topics bùdǎ-zìzhāo EVIL SECRETS THIEVES