Those curse tablets targeted at thieves or other criminals may have been more public , more acceptable ; some scholars even refuse to use the word `` curse '' of such `` positive '' texts , preferring expressions such as `` judicial prayers '' . Those curse tablets targeted at thieves or other criminals may have been more public , more acceptable ; some scholars even refuse to apply the word `` curse '' to such `` positive '' texts , preferring expressions such as `` judicial prayers '' .