懷璧其罪

From Zuo Zhuan (《左傳·桓公十年》):

初，虞叔有玉，虞公求旃。弗獻。既而悔之。曰：「周諺有之：『匹夫無罪，懷璧其罪。』吾焉用此，其以賈害也？」乃獻。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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初，虞叔有玉，虞公求旃。弗献。既而悔之。曰：「周谚有之：『匹夫无罪，怀璧其罪。』吾焉用此，其以贾害也？」乃献。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Chū, Yú Shū yǒu yù, Yú Gōng qiú zhān. Fú xiàn. Jì ér huǐ zhī. Yuē: “Zhōu yàn yǒu zhī: ‘Pǐfū wú zuì, huái bì qí zuì.’ Wú yān yòng cǐ, qí yǐ gǔ hài yě?” Nǎi xiàn. [Pinyin]

The 3rd brother of the duke of Yu had a valuable piece of jade, which the duke asked of him. He refused it, but afterwards repented, saying, "There is the proverb in Zhou, 'A man may have no crime; — that he keeps his bi is his crime.' This jade is of no use to me; — shall I buy my hurt with it?" He then presented it to the duke.

懷璧其罪

1. possessing something valuable or being talented can invite trouble due to others' envy