This is an ethic proposed by Søren Kierkegaard based out of 1 Pt. 4.8.

Hiding by Not Discovering

Hiding:  “[Love] does not discover sins; but not to discover what still must be there, insofar as it can be discovered—that is hiding.”

Discovery:  Reveals sin and increases the multitude of sin.

“To make discoveries even with regard to evil, with regard to sin and the multitude of sins, to be the shrewd, sly, foxy, perhaps more or less corrupt observer who can really make discoveries—this is highly regarded in the world.” It is not that any discovery of sin is bad or itself a sin, but rather the attitude that seeks out sins in others and relishes in their discovery is.

Hiding a multitude of sins does not mean that the sins are not there; they are, but are hidden.  And thus forgiveness, which is a form of hiding, while very generous, does not cheapen sin or the offense of sin which requires forgiveness. Discovery is praised in the world, while hiding is not. Example:  If you discover that your neighbor is abusing his children and help to put an end to it, good has been done.  There are sins which cannot be hidden in this way, which have to be seen. What Kierkegaard is criticizing is an attitude toward other people which seeks purposely to discover the faults of others and revels in such discovery.