- English translation
A thief has no feet to stand his ground; he bolts at the first sound.
- Literal wording
The thief has no legs.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying pictures a thief as lacking legs to plant firmly and stay where he is. The missing legs do not make him slow or immobile; rather, without footing he cannot hold his ground. The faintest noise or rumor is enough to send him running at once, so he never lingers.
More broadly, it observes that a guilty conscience makes a person jumpy and quick to bolt. Someone with something to hide cannot remain calm under the slightest threat of discovery, while an honest person has no reason to run.
- When it is used
Suitable for remarking that a wrongdoer or guilty party takes off at the first hint of danger or scrutiny. It fits informal talk about someone who vanishes rather than face questions, and it implies the flight itself betrays guilt.
- Register
- colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: A thief has no feet to stand his ground; he bolts at the first sound.