"People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. Wounds and dishonor will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts" (Proverbs 6:30-35).
When we compare and contrast the man who steals bread and the man who steals a wife, we learn some very important lessons. There seems to be sympathy for the man you steals bread to feed himself and his family. Though the man will be rightly punished for stealing bread, he is not despised. There are no lasting social wounds for such a man.
However, the man who steals a wife suffers wounds and dishonor as he faces public disgrace. These things are, by the way, self inflicted wounds. It is the adulterer who destroys himself. Yes, the jealous husband takes revenge, but the man who stole his wife is the one who owns the ultimate disgrace. This is a disgrace out of which he cannot buy his way.
Both the man you steals bread and the man who steals a wife must pay for their actions. While one may garner sympathy, the other does not. In order to avoid such public and permanent disgrace, as brought on by adultery, a person must live wisely. If not, wounds and dishonor will be his without end.
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