proverb · Legacy record
The owner of a stolen camel commits ten sins (by suspecting others).
The owner of a stolen camel commits ten sins (by suspecting others).
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The owner of a stolen camel said to commit ten sins through suspicion turns attention from the loss to accusations afterward. The saying warns about blame directed at others without support.
What the words are saying
Ten is rhetorical rather than a measured count, and sin expresses a moral frame rather than a legal finding. A useful reading distinguishes seeking evidence from indiscriminate accusation. A person who suffered theft may reasonably seek help and accountability.
Everyday example
Someone reports a loss and checks evidence without naming neighbours as thieves on suspicion alone.
When to use it
Use it to distinguish fair inquiry from unsupported blame.
Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗
What it does not mean
No legal judgment, numerical sin count or prohibition on seeking accountability is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Mongolia
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 407; PDF page 39; collection label: Mongolia
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Mongolia