Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neibhor's Property
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Two farmers were neighbors, one living in the East Village and the other the West Village. The one living in the East Village was in need of cash and borrowed one thousand and six hundred ounces of silver from his neighbor against the title deed of his land.
When he repaid half of the loan, he did not demand a receipt. However, when he repaid the remaining half, his neighbor denied having received eight hundred ounces from him earlier and refused to return the title deed.
The man was taken aback and sued. But he had no proof of his earlier repayment, and the case reached Zhao He, magistrate of Jiangyin.
After hearing the man’s story, Zhao He posted an official notice announcing that an infamous robber was caught and he had an accomplice. The name and description of the accomplice fitted the farmer living in the West Village. Shortly afterwards, the farmer was arrested. He strongly protested his innocence.
“But the robber said he had hidden stolen goods on your farm,” said Zhao He, looking at the man sternly. “The only way to clear yourself is to list all your possessions and account for their sources.”
The farmer readily provided the information. He had this much grain from his tenant; he had that many rolls of silk made by his family workshop; he had this much money which was the repayment of a loan by his neighbor in the East Village, and so on and so forth.
“All right. You are not the robber’s accomplice. But why did you deny having received your neighbor’s repayment and refuse to give his title deed back? Shame on you!”
At this point, his neighbor in the East Village was brought in. The man pleaded guilty for trying to cheat his neighbor out of his land. Thereupon Magistrate Zhao He ordered him to be punished according to the law.
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Wise Proverbs
- Lies can never changes fact.
- 谎言终究是谎言。
- A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
- 不善始者不善终。
- Wise man have their mouths in their hearts, fools have their hearts in their mouths.
- 智者嘴在心里，愚者心在嘴里。
Editor Says:
Given the circumstances, the end justifies the means in this case.