“A thief who robs a thief has a hundred years of pardon.”
Imagine that a scammer is being scammed out of his own money. Or a thief discovers that someone has stolen from him. For many people, the immediate reaction is not sympathy but satisfaction.
There is even a proverb for this feeling: “Whatever rope you wear is the same as yours”.Literally translated it means “The thief who steals has a hundred years of pardon.” It is one of the most enduring proverbs in the Portuguese-speaking world, heard in Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking communities. On the surface, it seems like a license for revenge. In fact, it reveals something deeper about how societies think about justice, fairness, and moral responsibility.
What does the proverb mean?
This proverb is used when someone commits a questionable act against someone who is guilty of wrongdoing. In the common understanding, the second offender is viewed as less blameworthy because the victim has already harmed others. The act is seen as a form of revenge or poetic justice rather than a direct crime.The proverb does no It means that stealing becomes legal or morally correct. Rather, it reflects a common human instinct: people are often less upset when they are struck by the misfortune of someone who has caused harm to others.
As noted by Portuguese scholars, this proverb is generally used when someone believes that a perpetrator should not suffer serious consequences because of his or her action against another criminal.
The proverb has uncertain origins
Like many traditional proverbs, its exact origin is difficult to trace. There is no universally accepted author or source. Scholars consider it part of the broader folk tradition of the Iberian Peninsula, where versions of this proverb exist in both Portuguese and Spanish.One common explanation links it to a story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves from One thousand and one nights. In that story, Ali Baba discovers the treasure of a group of thieves and ultimately profits from their ill-gotten wealth. Many commentators see the fable as reflecting the same moral logic as the parable.There is another theory linking the expression to the English character Sir Francis DrakeWho attacked Spanish ships carrying treasure. Some later writers have suggested that the phrase gained popularity through stories that portray such actions as justified because the victims themselves were seen as exploiters.
However, this interpretation is less documented than the broader popular origins of the proverb.
Why “one hundred years” of amnesty?
This number is not intended to be taken literally. In traditional proverbs, large numbers are often an exaggeration. “One hundred years” symbolizes a very long period of forgiveness and not the actual sentence of forgiveness.The point is rhetorical. The proverb suggests that society may be unusually willing to excuse someone who turns the tables on the wrongdoer.
It embodies popular sentiment rather than legal reality. After all, courts generally do not excuse crimes simply because the victim also committed crimes.
The philosophy behind this saying
In essence, the proverb addresses Khaled’s question: Is revenge ever justified?Many philosophical and religious traditions have grappled with this issue. The proverb tends toward an approximate form of moral balance. If someone who has harmed others suffers a similar fate, many people instinctively feel that justice has been served.However, this statement also reveals the dangers of that mentality. If everyone decides to punish wrongdoers on their own terms, society risks sliding into cycles of revenge. Modern legal systems are built on the idea that justice should be achieved through laws and institutions rather than through personal revenge.It is precisely this tension that gives the proverb its enduring power. It captures a sentiment that many people recognize, even if they don’t fully endorse it.
How it is used today
This proverb remains remarkably relevant in the digital age.This frequently appears in discussions of scammers being scammed, cybercriminals being hacked, or corrupt individuals falling victim to similar schemes. On social media, users often invoke this phrase when someone known for dishonest behavior suffers a setback caused by another dishonest actor.Importantly, the expression is often used with humor or sarcasm. People may quote this not because they really support theft, but because they find a particular situation vaguely amusing. The proverb has become shortened to say: “It’s hard to feel sorry for someone who did the same thing to others.”
A mirror of human nature
What makes “Whatever rope you wear is the same as yours” Tolerance is not an endorsement of theft. Rather, it reflects a universal human response to perceived justice.Most people believe that violations should have consequences. When those consequences arrive through unexpected means, especially from another wrongdoer, the outcome can seem strangely satisfying. The proverb gives voice to this reaction.At the same time, it serves as a reminder that popular morality and formal justice are not always the same thing.
Society may rejoice when a thief is robbed, but the law generally considers both actions wrong.This proverb is more than just a colorful saying, it offers a glimpse into how people have understood justice for centuries. It persists because it embodies a contradiction that remains as relevant today as ever: we condemn wrongful actions, yet we are often inclined to applaud them when they are done for the “right” purpose.
