Tōu fēng, bù tōu yuè; tōu yǔ, bù tōu xuě.

偷風不偷月, 偷雨不偷雪。

Lit [Thieves] steal [on] wind[y nights, but do] not steal [on] moon[lit nights]; [thieves] steal [on] rain[y nights, but do] not steal [on] snow[y nights, because they might be seen in the moonlight or leave tracks in the snow].

Fig People generally do evil deeds “in the dark of night” when they are less likely to get caught.

Note [Rhyme.]

Topics EVIL rhyme STRATEGY THIEVES