Imagine a scammer being cheated out of his own money. Or a thief may find out that someone has stolen from him. For many people, the immediate reaction is not sympathy but satisfaction. There’s even a saying for that sentiment: “Ladrao que ruba ladrao tam sem anos de perdao”.In literal translation it means “The one who robs a thief gets a hundred years of forgiveness.” It is one of the most enduring proverbs in the Portuguese-speaking world, heard in Portugal, Brazil and other Lusophone communities. On the surface, this seems like a license for revenge. In fact, it deeply reveals how societies think about justice, fairness, and moral responsibility.
What does the proverb mean?
This saying is used when someone commits a dubious act against someone who is himself guilty of wrongdoing. In popular understanding, the second offender is considered less culpable because the victim has already caused harm to others. This act is seen as a form of revenge or poetic justice rather than an outright crime.there is a saying No This means that theft becomes legally or morally right. Rather, it reflects a general human tendency: people are often less upset when misfortune befalls someone who has harmed others. As Portuguese language scholars have noted, this proverb is generally used when one believes that a wrongdoer should not suffer serious consequences when taking action against another wrongdoer.
a proverb of uncertain origin
Like many traditional proverbs, its exact origin is difficult to trace. There is no universally accepted author or source. Researchers consider it part of the wider folk tradition of the Iberian Peninsula, where versions of the saying exist in both Portuguese and Spanish.A popular explanation connects it to the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves From one thousand and one nights. In that story, Ali Baba searches for the treasure of a group of thieves and ultimately profits from their ill-gotten gains. Many commentators see this story as reflecting the same moral argument underlying the proverb.Another theory connects the expression with the English privateer. sir francis drakeWho attacked Spanish ships carrying treasure. Some later writers suggested that the phrase gained popularity through stories that justified such actions because the victims themselves were seen as exploiters. However, this interpretation is less strongly documented than the proverb’s widespread folk origins.
Why ‘hundred years’ apology?
The numbers should not be taken literally. In traditional proverbs, large numbers often serve as superlatives. The “hundred years” symbolizes a very long period of forgiveness rather than the actual punishment of salvation.The matter is rhetorical. The proverb suggests that society may be unusually willing to forgive someone who turns a blind eye to a wrongdoer. It captures popular sentiment rather than legal reality. After all, courts do not generally discount crimes simply because the victim also committed the crime.
The philosophy behind the proverb
At its core, this proverb touches on an eternal question: Is revenge ever appropriate?Many philosophical and religious traditions have grappled with this issue. This adage leans toward a rough form of moral balance. If a person who harms others meets a similar fate, many people intuitively feel that justice has been served.Yet this proverb also highlights the dangers of that mentality. If everyone decides to punish wrongdoers on their own terms, society risks descending into a cycle of retribution. Modern legal systems are built on the idea that justice should be administered through laws and institutions rather than through personal retribution.It is this tension that gives this proverb lasting power. It reflects a sentiment that many people identify with, even if they don’t fully support it.
How is it used today
This saying remains remarkably relevant in the digital age.This often appears in discussions about being defrauded by fraudsters, hacked by cybercriminals, or falling victim to similar schemes of corrupt individuals. On social media, users often use this phrase when a person known for dishonest behavior feels shocked by another dishonest actor.Importantly, this expression is often used with humor or sarcasm. People may cite it not because they actually support piracy, but because they find a particular situation extremely amusing. This saying has become a shorthand way of saying: “It’s hard to feel sorry for someone who has done the same thing to others.”
mirror of human nature
what makes “Ladrao que ruba ladrao tam sem anos de perdao” Tolerance is not support for theft. Rather, it reflects a universal human response to perceived fairness.Most people believe that wrongdoing should have consequences. When those consequences come in unexpected ways, especially from another wrongdoer, the outcome can feel oddly satisfying. This saying gives voice to that reaction.At the same time, it serves as a reminder that popular morality and formal justice are not always the same thing. Society may rejoice when a thief is robbed, but the law generally considers both actions wrong.More than a colorful saying, this proverb gives a glimpse of how people have understood justice throughout the centuries. It survives because it captures a paradox that is just as relevant today: we condemn wrongdoing, yet we are often tempted to applaud it when it is done with the “right” goal.