nonstealing

Nonstealing is the ethical principle or practice of not taking someone else's property without permission. It covers acts of theft, fraud, or deceit that transfer goods, services, or resources without consent. The concept is used in religious, philosophical, and secular discussions of rights to property and personal integrity.

In religious traditions, nonstealing appears as a core injunction. Buddhism teaches abstinence from stealing as part of the Five Precepts; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam include commandments or laws against theft. Many secular moral systems treat respect for property and consent as foundational to trust, fair exchange, and social cooperation.

The principle differentiates between unauthorized taking and legitimate transfer. It supports practices such as borrowing with permission, earning through work, or acquiring property by gift, sale, or inheritance. It also informs debates on restitution for past theft, handling of lost or found property, and responsibilities around intellectual property and credit for ideas.

In law, theft is generally illegal with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. In everyday life, nonstealing is reinforced by social norms and professional ethics that emphasize honesty, reliability, and fair dealing. The notion of nonstealing thus underpins many laws, policies, and codes of conduct that regulate property, consent, and personal autonomy.