Proverb / Kotowaza
嘘つきは泥棒のはじまり
Lying is the first step toward committing more serious crimes like theft.
A liar is the beginning of a thief
Quick Answer
Lying is the first step toward committing more serious crimes like theft.
- Literal Image
- A liar is the beginning of a thief
- How to Use It
- Used by parents or teachers to scold a child for lying, or used as a general warning that small misdeeds should not be overlooked.
Meaning
This proverb warns that getting into the habit of lying erodes one's conscience and moral boundaries. If a person becomes comfortable deceiving others with small lies, they may eventually find it easier to justify serious crimes such as stealing. It serves as a reminder to address even minor dishonest acts before they escalate into major character flaws.
Literal Image
A liar is the beginning of a thief
How to Use It
Used by parents or teachers to scold a child for lying, or used as a general warning that small misdeeds should not be overlooked.
Tone
This expression is cautionary and moralizing, used to instill integrity and discourage dishonesty.
Examples
これくらいならバレないだろう」と嘘を重ねる子供に、母は「嘘つきは泥棒のはじまりだよ」と厳しく諭した。
To her child who kept lying, thinking 'it won't be found out if it's just this much,' the mother sternly warned, 'A liar is the start of a thief.'
小さな虚偽報告を繰り返すうちに横領にまで手を染めた彼のニュースを見て、嘘つきは泥棒のはじまりだと思った。
Watching the news of a man who turned to embezzlement after repeatedly making small false reports, I thought to myself that lying really is the first step toward theft.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary consists of basic nouns like 'liar' and 'thief,' but the length of the phrase and the specific idiomatic usage of 'hajimari' (beginning) place it at an intermediate level.
嘘つき
うそつき / usotsuki
liar
泥棒
どろぼう / dorobou
thief; robbery
はじまり
はじまり / hajimari
the beginning; the first step
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this toward an adult can be very confrontational as it suggests their character is on a path to criminality.
Misread Risk
It does not literally mean every liar will become a thief, but rather warns about the psychological erosion of moral standards.
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Origin
Lying is fundamentally an act of deceiving others and stealing the truth that should exist. Once a person gains an advantage by lying to get through a difficult situation, the psychological barrier to committing more serious acts, like stealing physical objects, gradually lowers. This expression has been used in family education to warn that a lack of morality can escalate over time.
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