confess and be hanged
1
used to suggest that admitting to a crime or wrongdoing can lead to negative consequences, particularly when the punishment is certain or severe
The origin of the proverb "confess and be hanged" is tied to historical practices where individuals who admitted to their crimes could face immediate punishment. This saying serves as a warning about the dangers of admitting to wrongdoing, especially when the consequences are already inevitable or extreme. It emphasizes the idea that sometimes silence or discretion may be a safer course of action in the face of harsh punishment.
- The accused was hesitant to confess to the crime, knowing that the proverb confess and be hanged was often true in the harsh justice system of the time.