destroy all that speak leasing:''* one saith never lawful, the question is, whether it be
ON LYING.
SHES one may tell a lie. But yet what follows, '*For assiduity thereof will not profit to good," I know not whether it can countenance the first sentence of these three; except haply so, that while it is a precept for the perfect not only not to lie, but not even to wish; as-
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness itself, it is not unreasonably asked, to whom one is a witness? For not to whomsoever we speak unto are we witnesses, but to them to whom it is expedient and due that they by our means should come to know or believe the truth; as isa judge, that he may not err in judging; or he who is taught in doctrine of religion, that he may not err in faith, or by very authority of the teacher waver in doubt. But when the person who interrogates thee or wishes to know aught from thee seeks that which concerneth him not, or which is not expedient for him to know, he craveth not a witness, but a betrayer. Therefore if to him thou tell a lie, from false witness peradventure thou wilt be clear, but from a lie assuredly not. So then with this salvo, that to bear false witness is never lawful, the question is, whether it be lawful sometimes to tell a lie. Or if it be false witness to lie at all, it is to be seen whether it admit of compensation, to wit, that it be said for the sake of avoiding a greater sin: as that which is written, '*' Honor father and mother,''® under stress of a preferable duty is disregarded; whence the paying of the last honors of sepulture to a father, is forbidden to that man who by the Lord Himself is called to preach the kingdom of God.
siduity of lying is not permitted even to beginners. As if, namely, on laying down the rule at no time whatever not merely to lie but so much as to have a wish to lie, and this being gainsaid by examples, in regard that there are some lies which have been even approved by great authority, it should be rejoined that those indeed are lies of beginners, which have, in regard of this life, some kind of duty of mercy; and yet to that degree is every lie evil, and by perfect and spiritual minds in every way to be eschewed, that not even beginners are permitted to have assiduous custom thereof. For we have already spoken concerning the Egyptian midwives, that it is in respect of the promise of growth and proficiency to better things that they while lying are spoken of with approval: because it is some step towards loving the true and eternal saving of the soul, when a person doth mercifully for the saving of any man's albeit mortal life even tell a lie.
35. Moreover what is written, *' Thou wilt destroy all that speak leasing:''* one saith that no lie is here excepted, but all condemned. Another saith: Yea verily: but they who speak leasing from the heart, as we disputed above; for that man speaketh truth in his heart, who hateth the necessity of lying, which he understands as a penalty of the mortal life. Another saith: All indeed will God destroy who speak leasing, but not all leasing: for there is some leasing which the Prophet was at that time insinuating, in which none is spared; that is, if refusing to confess each one his sins, he defend them rather, and will not do penance,? so that not content to work iniquity, he must needs wish to be thought just, and succumb not to the medicine of confession: as the very distinction of the words may seem to intimate no other,
37. Likewise, touching that which is written, ''A son which receiveth the word shall be far from destruction: but receiving, he receiveth it for himself, and no falsehood proceedeth out of his mouth:"'7 some one may say, that what is here set down, *'A son which receiveth the word," is to be taken for no other than the word of God, which is truth. Therefore, 'A son receiving the truth shall be far from destruction," refers to that which is written, '' Thou wilt destroy all that speak leasing.'? But when it follows, '' Receiving he receiveth for himself,'' what other doth this insinuate than what the Apostle saith, "* But let every man prove his own work, and then he shall have glorying in him-
Thou hatest all that work iniquity;''3 but wilt not destroy them if upon repenting they speak the truth in confession, that by doing that truth they may come to the light; as is said in the Gospel according to John, ** But he that doeth truth cometh unto the light.' Thou wilt destroy all who" not only work what Thou hatest, but also '' speak leasing;'' 5 in holding out before them false righteousness, and not confessing their sins in penitency,
6 Exod. xx. 12. 7 Prov. xxix. 27. Lat. Not in the Hebrew, but LXX. xxiv. 23. Adyov puracaouevos vids amwaAeias ExTos EgTat 'Sexdpevos dé ede~ato auTov. Mnéer Yevdos aro yAwoons Baatréws AcyéaOw, Kai ovdév Weddos aro yAwaons avTov ov mn E£EAOD.
SPsav. 0; 3 Psave 5s
4+ John iii. 21. 2 Agere panitentiam. BP SiVin Os7