The thief's sorry because he is caught, not because he is the thief.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Regret about being caught may differ from regret about the harm done. The saying asks what an apology or expression of sorrow is actually concerned with.

What the words are saying

The thief’s disappointment is directed toward discovery rather than the theft itself. It can encourage attention to repair and changed conduct when judging a claim of remorse. It does not allow an observer to know every hidden motive or assume that someone who offended can never regret it sincerely. A useful reading looks for responsibility toward those harmed instead of treating distress alone as proof of accountability.

Everyday example

Someone apologising for dishonesty corrects the record and addresses its effects rather than only complaining about the consequences they face.

When to use it

Use it to distinguish regret over consequences from responsibility for harm.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.