When a person does something wrong, he should admit his guilt, pay whatever penalty he owes, then move on and try to do better.
The person who did wrong but won’t admit it still pays — often physically and mentally — but everyone else pays, too, from having to listen to all the guilty one’s lies and whining.
The honest person can live with a clearer conscience and stands a better chance of regaining the respect of others than the liar who tries to get away with every damn thing.
A normal human being knows the difference between right and wrong, and what they need to do. Only a horse’s ass or regular ol’ jackass has to be forced to do what’s right all the time.
That old fool will be sorry in the long run; and we who do what’s right will be all the happier and all the healthier, and we will be respected.