455. Truthfulness

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 455

Ave Maria series

What does it mean to be truthful?

Truthfulness means that one acts sincerely and speaks honestly.  The truthful individual guards against double-dealing, misrepresentation, malicious deception, and hypocrisy.  The worst form of untruthfulness is perjury.  [2468, 2476]

Saint  Joan of Arc burning at stake on May 30, 1431at the Old Marketplace in Rouen.…..455

A great evil in all communities is slander of other people and malicious gossip: A tells B “confidentially” something derogatory that C said about B.

If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.--James 3:2b

[2468, 2476]

LIVING IN THE TRUTH

2468 Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candor. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy. --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

OFFENSES AGAINST TRUTH

2476 False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. (Compare Proverbs 19:9.) ²⁷⁶ When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused. (Compare Prov 18:5.)²⁷⁷ They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions.

Saint  Joan of Arc