How to Read “Only the local deity doesn’t steal”
dorobō senu wa ujigami bakari
Meaning of “Only the local deity doesn’t steal”
This proverb means that everyone does something wrong at some point. No one is completely pure and innocent.
Only gods don’t steal. Since we’re all human, we naturally make mistakes, big or small. This reflects a realistic view of human nature.
People use this saying in different situations. When someone makes a mistake, you might say it to show tolerance instead of harsh judgment.
It means “they’re only human, after all.” Or you might use it when someone criticizes others while ignoring their own flaws.
It reminds them “you’re not perfect either.”
This expression teaches us to accept human imperfection. It shows wisdom about forgiving each other and living together.
Today, people on social media often harshly judge others’ mistakes. This proverb reminds us that everyone makes errors.
It teaches humility. We shouldn’t demand perfection. Instead, we should accept human weakness as natural and important.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first written record of this proverb is unclear. However, people likely used it during the Edo period among common folk.
The phrase contrasts two things. It pairs “thief,” a specific crime, with “ujigami,” the local guardian deity.
The ujigami protects the land and families. It’s not human but divine.
This means only gods don’t steal. All humans do something wrong sometimes. The saying contains an ironic view of human nature.
In Edo period society, people skillfully balanced public morals and private reality. They valued virtue outwardly but understood human weakness and greed clearly.
This proverb likely came from that realistic understanding of people.
The word “thief” represents wrongdoing everyone can understand. But it doesn’t mean only actual theft.
It symbolizes all human errors. Lying, cheating, hurting others—all these count too.
No one is completely flawless. This proverb mixes resignation with tolerance. It shows a distinctly Japanese view of human nature.
Usage Examples
- That person looks respectable, but “Only the local deity doesn’t steal,” so they must have some weakness
- You keep blaming others for mistakes, but “Only the local deity doesn’t steal”—you’re not perfect either
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has lasted because it captures human nature perfectly. We all carry both light and shadow in our hearts.
Even people who seem admirable tell small lies sometimes. They envy others or think selfish thoughts. That’s not shameful—it’s proof we’re human.
This wisdom warns against perfectionism. When we demand perfection from ourselves or others, disappointment and anger always follow.
True tolerance only comes when we accept that everyone makes mistakes.
At the same time, this proverb warns against arrogance. It teaches us to recognize our own imperfection before judging others.
We’re not gods. We have no right to completely judge other people.
This truth won’t change as long as human society exists. Biologically and psychologically, we cannot become perfect.
We have desires, emotions, and limits. Accepting this together is the wisdom of living together.
Our ancestors faced harsh reality but still found hope in it. Because we’re imperfect, we can support each other.
This warm understanding of humanity fills the proverb.
When AI Hears This
When we trust someone in human society, we actually make complex calculations. People don’t betray us because they’re truly good.
Maybe they don’t betray because the penalty outweighs the benefit. Game theory calls this “trust equilibrium.”
The problem is monitoring cost. If a company watches all employees 24 hours, it needs watchers. Those watchers also need watching. This continues infinitely.
So society works with imperfect monitoring—checking only sometimes. Then rational people calculate “if I don’t get caught, I profit.”
Behavioral economics experiments show this. When anonymity is guaranteed, cooperation rates drop about 40 percent.
This proverb’s brilliance is recognizing only the ujigami as the exception. The deity has no concept of “betraying for profit.”
Unlike humans, it doesn’t calculate gains and losses. That’s why it’s the only being we can trust without monitoring costs.
Modern blockchain technology aims to recreate exactly this ujigami. It doesn’t rely on human goodness.
Instead, it builds “betrayal is impossible” into the system itself. Technology tries to create a deity.
Edo period people intuitively understood the essence of trust. We’re now rediscovering it at enormous cost.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us wisdom to be kind to others and ourselves. On social media, someone’s slip-up goes viral.
Voices demanding perfection grow louder. That’s exactly when this saying’s value shines.
First, it changes how we see others. When someone makes a mistake, thinking “this person is human too” helps us avoid excessive criticism.
No one is perfect. We don’t need to condemn someone’s entire character for small errors. Tolerance eventually returns to us.
It also softens our overly harsh view of ourselves. When we fail, we don’t need to think “I’m a terrible person.”
Making mistakes is human nature. Accepting this is the first step toward growth. Perfectionism only traps us.
What matters is not using imperfection as an excuse. Don’t say “I’m human, so it’s fine” and give up.
Instead, think “because I’m human, I’ll get better little by little” and look forward. This proverb teaches that balance.
We’re not gods. That’s exactly why we can support each other, forgive each other, and walk forward one step at a time.
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