Take down a thief from the gallows and he will hang you up.
More Italian Proverbs:
Harm watch, harm catch.Italian
A near neighbour is better than a distant cousin.
Italian
There is no worse joke than a true one.
Italian
God sends us the meat, but it is the Devil who sends us cooks.
Italian
Among thorns grow roses.
Italian
A gift long expected is sold, not given.
Italian