Stealing is of course a crime, yet no Chinese magistrate would dream of punishing a hungry man for simple theft of food, even if such a case were ever brought into court.

Cake-sellers keep a sharp eye on their wares; farmers and market-gardeners form associates for mutual protection, and woe to the thief who gets caught--his punishment is short and sharp.

Litigation is not encouraged, even by such facilities as ought to be given to persons suffering wrongs; there is no bar, or legal profession, and persons who assist plaintiffs or defendants in the conduct of cases, are treated with scant courtesy by the presiding magistrate and are lucky if they get off with nothing worse.

The majority of commercial cases come before the guilds, and are settled without reference to the authorities.

The ordinary Chinese dread a court of justice, as a place in which both parties manage to lose something.
"It is not the big devil," according to the current saying, "but the little devils" who frighten the suitor away.