Tùzi bù chī wō biān cǎo.*

兔子不吃窩邊草。

Lit A rabbit never eats the grass beside its burrow [so that it will be protected].

Fig A criminal does not commit crimes near home. (Even) a scoundrel won't harm his own immediate neighbors or surroundings, (as it is not in his interest to do so).

Note [Also said tùzi fú chī kē biān cǎo; cf. Hé Diǎn, chap. 8; see also lùsī bù dǎ and měnghǔ bù chī above.]

Topics BEHAVIOR HARM Hé Diǎn NEIGHBORS SELF-INTEREST SELF-RESTRAINT