The Seventh Commandment

"Thou shalt not steal"

COMPENDIUM

This Commandment forbids taking or keeping other people's goods unlawfully or for procuring loss to our neighbor in his possessions in any other way.

Stealing is taking away other people's belongings against the will of the owner, that is to say, when he has every reason and right to be unwilling to be deprived of them. Stealing is against justice, and it wrongs our neighbor by taking away from him and retaining, against his own good right and wish, what is his. Our neighbor's possessions are whatever belongs to him, and that of which he has the property or use, or which he holds on deposit.

The Seventh Commandment may be broken in two ways: by theft, or by robbery. Theft is taking what belongs to others secretly; robbery is taking it with violence and openly.

Things belonging to another may be taken if the owner is not opposed to it, or if his opposition is unjust, as might happen in the case of someone in extreme necessity, provided that he were to take only as much as was strictly indispensable to suffice for his urgent and extreme necessity. Furthermore, anyone may be injured in his belongings not only by theft and robbery, but also by means of fraud or usury, or of any other unjust procedure with regard to his property. Fraud occurs when anyone is cheated in business by false weights, measures or money, or by bad goods, by forging writings or documents; finally, by practicing deceit in purchasing or selling, and in any other sort of contract, and also by being unwilling to give what is just or what has been agreed upon. Usury occurs when unlawful interest is exacted without any legitimate claim for any loan, taking advantage of the need or ignorance of another.

Other kinds of injustice to anyone in respect of his property are: making him lose unjustly what is his, doing him injury in his possessions, not working as one ought, maliciously withholding payment of debts or commercial obligations, striking or killing any of his animals, dissipating what is held in trust for him, interfering with his obtaining any just gain, abetting thieves by receiving, concealing or selling stolen goods.

Stealing is a grave sin against justice when any serious matter is involved, for it is of much importance to respect the right of the owner to his property, and this is for the good of individuals, of families and of society. The matter is grave when something considerable is taken, or even when something of little worth, if it occasions serious loss to the owner.

The Seventh Commandment orders us to respect other people's property, to give fair pay to workmen, and to observe what is just in all that concerns the belongings of others. If anyone commits a sin against the Seventh Commandment, it is not enough to confess the sin, but it is necessary to do what is possible to restore what has been stolen, and to make good the loss. The making good of the loss is the compensation which must be given to the owner of the goods or gains lost through the theft or other injustice committed to his disadvantage. This compensation must be made either to the owner or to his heirs. If he be dead, and if this be really impossible, the value must be given to the poor or made up by pious works.

Supposing something of considerable value is found, the finder is bound to use the utmost diligence to find the owner, and to give it back to him.

CATECHISM

431. What does the Seventh Commandment, Thou shalt not steal, forbid?

The Seventh Commandment, Thou shalt not steal, forbids all unjust taking and all unjust keeping of what belongs to another, and also every other way of wronging our neighbor in his property.

432. What is meant by stealing?

Stealing means taking another's goods unjustly and against the owner's will, that is to say, when he has every reason and right to be unwilling to be deprived of them.

433. Why is it forbidden to steal?

It is forbidden to steal because a sin is committed against justice and an injury is done to another by taking or keeping against his right and will that which belongs to him.

434. What is meant by another's goods?

Everything that belongs to him everything of which he has the ownership, or the use, or the custody.

435. In how many ways can another's goods be unjustly taken?

Another goods can be unjustly taken in two ways: by theft and by robbery.

436. How is theft committed?

Theft is committed by taking another's goods secretly.

437. How is robbery committed?

Robbery is committed by taking another's goods openly and with violence.

438. In what cases may another's goods be taken without sin?

Another's goods can be taken without sin when the owner consents or even when he unjustly refuses; for example, one in extreme necessity may take another's goods without sin, provided that he takes only so much as is absolutely necessary to relieve pressing and extreme need.

439. Is it only by theft and robbery that another can be injured in his property?

One can also be injured in his property by fraud, usury, and any other act of injustice directed against his goods.

440. How is fraud committed?

Fraud is committed in trade by deceiving another by false weight, measure and money or by bad goods; by falsifying writings and documents; in short, by deceit in buying and selling or in contracts in general, as well as by refusing to pay what is just and agreed upon.

441. How is usury committed?

Usury is committed by exacting, without just title, an unlawful interest for money lent, thus taking an unfair advantage of another's need or ignorance.

442. What other sorts of injustice may be committed with regard to another's goods?

Other injustices which may be committed with regard to another's good include: unjustly causing him to lose what he has; injuring him in his possessions; not working as in duty bound; maliciously refusing to pay debts or wages due; wounding or killing his stock; damaging property held in custody; preventing another from making just gains; aiding thieves; and receiving, concealing or buying stolen goods.

443. Is it a grave sin to steal?

Stealing is a grave sin against justice when the matter is grave; for it is most important for the good of individuals, of families, and of society that each one's right to his property should be respected.

444. When is stolen matter grave?

Stolen matter is grave when that which is taken is considerable, as also when serious loss is inflicted on another by taking that which in itself is of little value.

445. What does the Seventh Commandment command?

The Seventh Commandment commands us to respect the property of others, to give the laborer fair wages, and to observe justice in all that concerns what belongs to others.

446. Is it enough for one who has sinned against the Seventh Commandment to confess his sin?

It is not enough for one who has sinned against the Seventh Commandment to confess his sin; he must also do his best to restore what belongs to others, and to repair the loss he has caused.

447. What is meant by repairing the losses caused?

Repairing the losses caused means the compensation which must be made to another for the goods or profits lost owing to the theft or other acts of injustice committed to his detriment.

448. To whom must stolen property be restored?

Stolen property must be restored to him from whom it has been stolen; to his heirs, if he is dead; or if this is really impossible the value of it should be devoted to the poor or to some charity.

449. What should one do who finds something of great value?

One who finds something of great value should diligently seek the owner and faithfully restore it to him.