ぬす
盗
びと
人
　
に
　
も
さん
三
ぶ
分
　
の
り
理

expression

Proverb.
  1. the wrongdoer never lacks a pretext, even thieves have their reasons, give the devil his due.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
ぬす
盗
びと
人
　
に
　
も
さん
三
ぶ
分
　
の
り
理
 盗人にも三分の理 ぬすびとにもさんぶのり

Contained Kanji Breakdown

steal, rob, pilfer
ぬす.む　トウ (7th, N3)
next, order, sequence
つぎ　ジ　つ.ぐ (3rd, N3)
two-stroke water radical or ice radical (no. 15)
ヒョウ　こおり (Kentei 1)
lack, gap, fail
ケツ　か.ける　ケン (4th, N3)
knife, wrapping enclosure(勹) variant
person
ひと　ニン　ジン (1st, N5)
dish, a helping, plate
さら　ベイ (3rd, N2)
person
ひと　ニン　ジン (1st, N5)
three
サン　み　みっ.つ (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ　いっ　ひと- (1st, N5)
part, minute of time, segment
ブン　わ.ける　ブ (2nd)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ　や　はっ (1st, N5)
sword, saber, knife
かたな　トウ　ち (2nd, N1)
logic, arrangement, reason
リ　ことわり　あや (2nd, N4)
king, rule, magnate
オウ　-ノウ　おお (1st, N3)
ri, village, parent's home
さと　リ　さ (2nd)
rice field, rice paddy
た　デン　たん (1st, N4)
soil, earth, ground
ド　つち　は (1st, N5)