怀璧其罪

懷璧其罪
huáibìqízuì
  1. lit. treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime (idiom); to get into trouble on account of a cherished item
  2. fig. A person's talent will arouse the envy of others.

CEDICT

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

Wiktionary

怀，怀藏。怀璧其罪指身藏宝玉，因此获罪。《左传．桓公十年》：「周谚有之：『匹夫无罪，怀璧其罪。』」后比喻怀才而遭人嫉妒陷害。如：「廉颇年虽老大，仍欲为国征战，怎奈怀璧其罪，终不得见用。」也作「怀璧获罪」。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 怀 huái
  1. bosom
  2. heart
  3. mind
  4. to think of
  5. to harbor in one's mind
  6. to conceive (a child)
2 璧 bì jade annulus
3 其 qí
  1. his
  2. her
  3. its
  4. their
  5. that
  6. such
  7. it (refers to sth preceding it)
=4 罪 zuì
  1. guilt
  2. crime
  3. fault
  4. blame
  5. sin
=4 罪 zuì variant of 罪 zuì, crime