THEFT (secretly and openly)

1. One whose heart is tempted to steal (openly), since he has permitted himself to steal from his fellow, he is poised to commit any sin, and there is no remedy to turn him away from his evil way.

2. Through the sin of stealing, the locusts arise, and there is famine, and people eat the flesh of their children.

3. Someone who does not benefit others with his money, through this robbers come upon him.

4. One who steals the worth of a penny from his fellow, it is as if he takes away his soul, and the soul of his sons and daughters, and even (if he stole) indirectly.

5. Someone who does not have regard for his friend's money, it is certain that he is a thief.

6. Overpricing is permissible to charge non-Jews.

7. Someone who clenches his hand shut from (giving) charity, robbers come upon him.

8. One who puts his trust in gentiles, in the end they take from him by force.

9. Through judges and teachers (of children) that aren't good, also butchers, through this the enemies consume the livelihood of the Jewish people.

10. One who dilutes his beverage with water, thieves come upon him. (t.n. This refers to a shopkeeper who has the beverage for sale).

11. Someone who takes a portion from a robbery, in the end the matter will be exposed.

12. A city in which there are thieves, it is certain that the Rabbi likes bribery.

13. Through empty words (conversation), thieves come.

14. It is permissible to deceive others in order to save a Jewish soul.

15. Concerning one who humiliates his friend, in the end he will give false testimony, in order to steal money.

16. One who has trust (in G-d) from his early years is saved from robbers.

17. Through hearing foolish words, thieves come.

18. Through falsehood, thieves come.

1. Through deception, comes – G-d forbid - sickness of the lungs and chest.

2. Through deception, come thoughts of promiscuity with a gentile woman.

3. Through theft, one loses cognizance.

4. Theft harms the eyes.

5. Through saying Tikkun Chatzot (midnight rectification) one is saved from thieves.

6. Someone who has pain raising children should read the (passage in the Torah describing the) Story of Creation (Bereshit, Chapter 1) every day. Also through this reading he is saved from being accused of stealing.