It is safer to be deceived than to deceive.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A man is better off being the victim of deception than being the deceiver, because the deceiver bears the moral and legal guilt while the deceived retains the law's protection.

Where this applies

• A business partner who was cheated out of profits retains the court's sympathy, while the partner who did the cheating faces liability and legal costs.
• A man tricked into buying a worthless investment can recover his money, but the fraudster who sold it to him cannot claim any legal protection for his scheme.
• An employee deceived into signing a bad contract is in a better legal position than the employer who deceived her, because the law punishes the deceiver and protects the victim.