3.01.2010

The right truth at the right time

9th commandment

The commandment against lying is a command to speak the truth in love, for the edification of the body. We are to guard the reputation of ourselves and our neighbor, by exercising discretion. Discretion is a virtue, which speaks the right truths in the right places. Discretion does not cover up the truth, but knows where and when to speak it. We may not pre-judge what the truth is. We are often tempted to do this by undue speculation, trying to see God’s hand of providence in what just happened; or by coming to a conclusion without enough good evidence, just so we can opine and display our great wisdom about things. We should take as seriously what we say to one another as if we were on the witness stand in court, under oath.

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