Item 8 in Truth By Reason Master Ethical Code
Do Not Steal, Exploit or Corrupt
Do not take property, labour, credit, opportunity or value without legitimate right or consent.
- Position
- 8
- Form
- Mixed formulation
- Obligation
- Context-dependent
- Wording status
- Translation
- Intended audience
- Everyone
- Last reviewed
- 28 June 2026
Names and terminology
Canonical name: Do Not Steal, Exploit or Corrupt
Source wording
<p>Do not take property, labour, credit, opportunity or value without legitimate right or consent.</p>
Literal meaning
Do not take property, labour, credit, opportunity or value without legitimate right or consent.
Broader interpretation
Reject bribery and the exploitation of poverty, ignorance, dependency, unequal bargaining power or institutional position.
Practical meaning
Do not take property, labour, credit, opportunity or value without legitimate right or consent.
Ethical purpose
Reject bribery and the exploitation of poverty, ignorance, dependency, unequal bargaining power or institutional position.
Modern application
Apply this principle to personal conduct, organisations and public policy, with particular attention to people and beings who carry the greatest risks while holding the least power.
Criticism and difficult cases
This principle may conflict with other duties. It should therefore be applied with evidence, proportionality, role reversal, attention to power and review of foreseeable consequences.
Truth By Reason analysis
Reject bribery and the exploitation of poverty, ignorance, dependency, unequal bargaining power or institutional position.
Sources
- Truth By Reason Comparative Ethical Codes Synthesis Primary source