During the Spring and Autumn period, Zhi Bo of the State of Jin destroyed the Fan family. Seizing this opportunity, a man went to the Fan residence intending to steal. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw a large bell hanging there. The bell, cast from high-quality bronze, was exquisite in design and craftsmanship. The thief was delighted and decided to take it home. However, the bell was too large and heavy to move. After much thought, he concluded that the only solution was to break it into pieces and carry them home separately.
The thief found a large hammer and struck the bell with all his might. A tremendous crashing sound erupted, startling him. Flustered, he realized the noise would alert others to his theft. In a panic, he threw himself onto the bell, trying to muffle the sound with his arms—a futile effort, as the resonant tones continued to spread far and wide.
The more he listened, the more frightened he became. Instinctively, he covered his ears with his hands. "Ah! The sound is fainter; I can't hear it!" he exclaimed happily. "Perfect! If I cover my ears, I won't hear the bell!" He immediately fashioned two cloth plugs, stuffed them into his ears, and thought, "Now no one can hear the sound." Relieved, he resumed striking the bell, blow after blow. The resounding clangs traveled great distances, leading people to the scene where they captured the thief.
This story originates from "Knowing Yourself" in The Annals of Lü Buwei. The phrase "plugging one's ears while stealing a bell" is used to describe a foolish, self-deceptive act of covering up the truth.