ruò​yào​rén​bù​zhī​chú​fēi​jǐ​mò​wéi

if you don't want anyone to know, don't do it

Senses

若要人不知,除非己莫为/ 若要人不知,除非己莫為 ruò​yào​rén​bù​zhī​chú​fēi​jǐ​mò​wéi if you don't want anyone to know, don't do it

(proverb) The only way to keep a secret is not to do the deed; if you do something wrong, people will inevitably find out about it.

若要人不知,除非己莫为/ 若要人不知,除非己莫為 ruò​yào​rén​bù​zhī​chú​fēi​jǐ​mò​wéi if you do not want others to know, do not do it yourself

the only way to keep a secret is to not do the deed in the first place; wrongdoing will eventually come to light

References

see 纸包不住火/紙包不住火 若要人不知,除非己莫为/若要人不知,除非己莫為