Question 66 — Theft and Robbery

We must now consider the sins opposed to justice, whereby a man injures his neighbor in his belongings; namely theft and robbery.

Under this head there are nine points of inquiry:

(1) Whether it is natural to man to possess external things?

• (2) Whether it is lawful for a man to possess something as his own?
• (3) Whether theft is the secret taking of another’s property?
• (4) Whether robbery is a species of sin distinct from theft?
• (5) Whether every theft is a sin?
• (6) Whether theft is a mortal sin?
• (7) Whether it is lawful to thieve in a case of necessity?
• (8) Whether every robbery is a mortal sin?
• (9) Whether robbery is a more grievous sin than theft?