How to Read “Stealing a name is not as good as stealing goods”
Na wo nusumu wa ka wo nusumu ni shikazu
Meaning of “Stealing a name is not as good as stealing goods”
This proverb expresses a harsh warning. It says that trying to gain fame or reputation without real ability or achievement is even worse than stealing money or goods.
People use this saying in specific situations. It applies when someone takes credit for another person’s work. It fits when someone deceives others with fake credentials.
It also works when someone spreads false information on social media to get attention. The proverb points out how despicable it is to chase superficial fame.
Why does the proverb use this expression? Stealing goods is clearly a crime that everyone can see. But gaining fame dishonestly is more subtle and harder to detect.
It also damages trust throughout society. It devalues the efforts of people who work hard honestly. It shakes the very foundation of social fairness.
For these reasons, stealing a name is considered a more serious harm. Even today, this saying warns against empty pretense and vanity without real ability. Its meaning remains unchanged.
Origin and Etymology
No clear record exists of when this proverb first appeared in literature. However, we can make interesting observations from its structure.
The format compares two acts: “stealing a name” and “stealing goods.” This structure may reflect the influence of classical Chinese moral philosophy.
Confucianism highly valued “name,” meaning fame and reputation. At the same time, it strictly warned against empty fame without substance.
The expression “shikazu” deserves special attention. It means “does not equal” or “is inferior to.” But here it’s used paradoxically.
Normally, stealing goods is clearly condemned as a crime. Yet this proverb declares that seeking fame without ability is even worse.
Why is stealing a name so bad? When you steal goods, the victim is clear and the crime is obvious.
But gaining fame dishonestly damages trust throughout society. It devalues truly capable people. Because it’s less visible, its harm spreads deeper and wider.
This thinking forms the background of the proverb. It connects to the emphasis on “honor” in Japanese bushido spirit.
The saying has been passed down as a moral warning through generations.
Usage Examples
- Publishing someone else’s research results as your own without any real achievement is “stealing a name is not as good as stealing goods”—the most despicable act
- When I heard that an influencer gathered followers with a fake background, I thought it was exactly “stealing a name is not as good as stealing goods”
Universal Wisdom
Humans have two desires. One is the desire for material wealth. The other is the desire for recognition and respect from others.
This proverb shows deep insight. It reveals that the latter desire is more dangerous and more likely to corrupt people.
Why is the desire for fame dangerous? When you steal money or goods, you feel guilt. If caught, you face punishment.
But gaining fame dishonestly is easier to justify to yourself. You tell yourself “I just exaggerated a little” or “everyone does it.” Gradually you sink into a world of pretense.
What’s even more frightening is losing your true self while drunk on false fame. What started as an act eventually blurs the line between image and reality.
You can no longer tell them apart. You meant to deceive others, but ultimately you deceive yourself most deeply.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because it sees through human weakness. Everyone wants to be recognized and respected.
But when that desire turns toward seeking superficial fame instead of developing real ability, people lose their dignity.
Our ancestors kept warning us. True value lies in substance. Empty fame corrupts the soul.
When AI Hears This
The teaching that damaging honor is worse than stealing goods is surprisingly scientifically correct from an information theory perspective. The key is “information irreversibility.”
When money is stolen, the law of conservation of matter applies. The money as an object doesn’t disappear—it just moves to another location.
This means repayment or compensation can return the victim’s financial state to its original value. If 100,000 yen is stolen, returning 100,000 yen mathematically makes it completely whole again.
This is a reversible process. The change can be rewound.
Damage to honor, however, is a change in information space. Suppose the rumor “that person is a thief” spreads to 100 people.
Even if you apologize later, that information is already stored in each person’s memory. It continues spreading to others.
In information theory, entropy—disorder—once increased doesn’t naturally decrease. Even if you spread correction information, both the original bad reputation and the correction remain.
The total amount of information keeps growing. You cannot return completely to the original state.
This has the same structure as the second law of thermodynamics. Just as water spilled from a cup cannot be returned, information once spread cannot be fully recovered.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us about honesty, which matters even more in the social media age. Likes and follower counts are visible now.
Our need for approval gets stimulated easily. The temptation of vanity and pretense is stronger than ever.
But think about it. Who do you truly respect? Is it people with flashy titles? Or is it people who work steadily and have real ability?
In most cases, it’s the latter, isn’t it?
What matters is not how others see you, but what you’ve built up yourself. Qualifications, titles, and social media reputation are results, not goals.
If you develop real ability and act honestly, fame will naturally follow.
If you feel tempted to show off or exaggerate your achievements, remember this proverb. False fame is a castle built on sand.
When it eventually crumbles, you lose not just your reputation but trust in yourself.
On the other hand, reputation built on steady effort becomes real wealth that no one can take away. Your value lies not in appearances but in the substance you’ve accumulated.
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