This saying refers to someone who tries too hard to deny something, thereby drawing attention to it and revealing the truth. It means that an overly obvious denial is itself a confession.
From a folk tale about a man who buried silver and left a sign saying it wasn't there, prompting a thief to steal it and leave a similar sign. It reflects the Chinese appreciation for subtlety and indirect communication.
Chinese people use this to point out the irony of self-incrimination through over-denial. It signals that actions and overstatements reveal more than words, and it serves as a witty social correction without direct accusation.
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