English · Proverb Attested

locks only keep honest people honest

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

While locks may deter honest people from attempting to break in, they will do little to stop a prepared attacker

Where it’s used: Used American English

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “locks only keep honest people honest” mean?

While locks may deter honest people from attempting to break in, they will do little to stop a prepared attacker

Is “locks only keep honest people honest” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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