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Section X. Of Truth.

66. Q. What is meant by truth?

A. Truth is that which neither states nor suggests what is false, nor keeps back what is true, in order to deceive others.

67. Q. Then is truth twofold?

A. Truth possesses the two qualities of clearness and exactness, and a truthful person is always careful that those he is dealing with understand exactly what is meant, and are not deceived in any way.

68. Q. Name the opposite of truth?

A. A Lie.

69. Q. Are there no distinctions in lying?

A. There are no distinctions in lying. Whatever is meant to deceive is a lie.

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70. Q. Then what constitutes the essence of lying?

A. The intention to deceive, whether it take the form cither of suppressing part of the truth, or actually stating that which is false.

71. Q. How should truth he regarded?

A. As truth is one of the marks of a noble mind, we should prize it beyond all profit or gain.

72. Q. How should a lie be regarded?

A. A lie is the greatest dishonour of which we can be guilty.

73. Q. Why so?

A. Because truth gives us confidence in each other and thus cements society together, while its beauty is acknowledged even by those who do not habitually adhere toil.

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74. Q. Will any circumstances justify departure from the truth?

A. None whatever. Even where our own interests will apparently suffer by sticking to the truth, we should neither hesitate nor prevaricate.

75. For what reason?

A. Because, habits of deception and falsehood are easily formed, and grow with great rapidity; hence we should avoid all deception or any departure whatever from the truth.

76. Q. Is there any other reason?

A. A lie degrades the person who tells it, and invariably requires other falsehoods to screen it.

77. Q. Name one of the things which tends to lying.

A. The habit of exaggeration, which weakens the clear view of truth, and often leads to actual falsehood.

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78. Q. What then should be guarded against?

A. We should avoid any deviation from the truth, however small, and should strictly adhere to the truth even in the most minute particulars.

79. Q. What is an oath?

A. An oath is a solemn affirmation, in which God is appealed to as to the truth of a statement made or a promise given.

80. Q. How many kinds of oaths are there?

A. There are two, namely, those which pertain to Courts of law, and those which pertain to promises made.

81. Q. State particulars of the first kind.

A. Witnesses in Courts of law give evidence or testimony, and by their oath are sworn to tell "the truth—the whole truth—and nothing but the truth"—regarding page 25 the matter being dealt with, so far as they know, for verification of which they appeal to God.

82. Q. State particulars of oaths regarding promises made.

A. This kind refers to oaths of allegiance to the Sovereign, or to carry out faithfully the duties of a public office, the promise being supported by an appeal to God.

83. Q. Docs the taking of an oath confer any greater obligation to tell the truth?

A. It does not increase the moral obligation, but it does increase the legal obligation, as it renders any one swearing falsely liable to be punished for perjury, or false swearing.

84 Q. Why does an oath not increase the moral obligation to tell the truth?

A. Because the obligation not to deceive others always remains, and no circumstance can either strengthen or weaken it.

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85. Q. How then may our duty on the matter be summed up?

A. It is our duty not only to avoid actu[unclear: al] falsehood, but also to see that our words [unclear: and] not misunderstood in a way calculated deceive or injure others.