Those sinning secretly are punished more severely than those sinning openly.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Concealment aggravates the offense — a crime committed in secret is punished more severely than one committed openly, because secrecy implies deliberate evasion of justice.

Where this applies

• An embezzler who cooked the books for years to hide his theft receives a harsher sentence than a shoplifter who stole in plain view.
• A tax evader who used shell companies and offshore accounts to conceal income is punished more severely than one who simply failed to file a return.
• A poisoner who secretly laced a coworker's food over months is sentenced more harshly than someone who committed an assault in broad daylight.