Not Stealing

Numero Tres:

Asteya: Non-stealing.  Not taking that which is not given.

Asteya is defined in Hindu scripts as "the abstinence, in one's deeds or words or thoughts, from unauthorized appropriation of things of value from another human being."

Asteya in practice implies to "not steal," "not cheat," nor unethically manipulate other's property or others for one's own gain.  Asteya as virtue demands that not only one "not steal" through one's action, one shouldn't want to encourage cheating through speech or writing, or want to cheat even in one's thinking.  The virtue of asteya arises out of the understanding that all misappropriation is an expression of craving and a feeling of lack of compassion for other beings. To steal or want to steal expresses lack of faith in oneself, one's ability to learn and create property.  To steal another's property is also stealing from one's own potential ability to develop.

Misappropriation: The wrongful, fraudulent, or corrupt use of other's funds in one's care.

These damn Hindus can sure complicate a simple vice.  I thought that because I don't steal - I don't usually steal often - that I had everything under control.  It's interesting to think about how stealing shows a lack of faith in one's own ability.  It's also interesting to ponder that stealing shows a lack of concern for others.  It's a lot less interesting to consider that "wanting" to steal is not so good.  I want to steal a lot of shit.  I'd rather it all be mine instead of someone else's.