Full Idea
The better known the laws and edicts, the more thieves and robbers there are.
Gist of Idea
The better known the law, the more criminals there are
Source
Laozi (Lao Tzu) (Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) [c.530 BCE], II.LVII.132)
Book Reference
Lao Tzu: 'Tao Te Ching', ed/tr. Lau,D.C. [Penguin 1963], p.118
A Reaction
Nice. I link this with my favourite moral maxim from Democritus (Idea 519). The idea is that continual emphasis on what you should not do fills the mind with evil possibilities. Moral perfection must start by taking goodness for granted.
Related Idea
Idea 519 One must avoid even speaking of evil deeds [Democritus (attr)]