The more one tries to conceal a fault or wrongdoing, the more obvious it becomes; attempts to hide something only make it stand out more conspicuously.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, Cui Zhu, a high official of the Qi state, held significant military and political power. He later attended the funeral of Tang Gong, a Grand Master of Tangyi, and became infatuated with Tang Gong's wife, Tang Jiang. Despite warnings, he married her.
Duke Zhuang of Qi, known for his philandering, began an affair with Tang Jiang, even though he knew she was now Cui Zhu's wife. Upon learning of this, Cui Zhu feigned illness and stopped attending court.
Duke Zhuang took the opportunity to visit Cui Zhu, intending to meet Tang Jiang. Cui Zhu then orchestrated Duke Zhuang's murder, installed Duke Jing as the new ruler of Qi, and became the prime minister himself.
The official historian of Qi was an upright man. Ignoring Cui Zhu's repeated hints, he recorded the truth from a historical perspective: "Cui Zhu murdered his monarch." This was a heinous crime, which would bring shame upon him throughout the land. Enraged, Cui Zhu had the historian killed.
However, he did not understand the meaning of '欲盖弥彰' (the more one tries to cover up, the more obvious it becomes). The succeeding historian likewise upheld his integrity and wrote the same truthful account. Cui Zhu thought, if killing one cannot silence them, then what about killing another? He killed this historian too. Yet, the third historian still adhered to his principles. Realizing that killing people would not solve the problem, Cui Zhu eventually gave up.
Therefore, later generations, when reading this historical passage, use this idiom to describe Cui Zhu's foolish attempt to cover up his misdeeds, which only served to expose them more glaringly.