Qualification for lying

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Dourbest

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I’m curious as to if someone tells someone something thinking its true, but later finds out its not, yet doesn’t correct the person they were talking too, is that lying?
 
At the time of acting, the person was stating what they believed to be true. If at a later point, they realise what they said was not strictly true, in otherwise they realise they made a mistake, the charitable thing to do would be to advise the other person of their mistake and inform of what the true facts are.

Lying is a deliberate intention to mislead, deceive another by saying what a person knows is not true.

Catholic Answers encyclopedia Lying Treatment of the moral concept
 
So its kind’ve an obligation sometimes but if you think what you’re saying is true its fine.
 
It is an obligation to go back and correct the misinformation given to another so as the other person has the correct information/knowledge.

It is also best to qualify your statements if you are not sure what you are saying is actually correct.

ETA, as an example, if it was a slip of the tongue when speaking to the checkout assistant that the weather forecast for tomorrow is fine, but then later remember hearing the forecast actually said mostly fine - it’s my opinion there would be no obligation to go back to the checkout person to qualify your earlier statement. As the harm from your assertion that tomorrow will be fine, will do no to little harm.
 
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If they have a right to know then there’s something of an obligation to correct it, I think.

In general it is probably best to correct it, but I don’t think one would have to in every case. You’re not sinning by not clarifying minor inconsequential details you previously got wrong, for instance.
 
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Arwing said:
In general it is probably best to correct it, but I don’t think one would have to in every case. You’re not sinning by not clarifying minor inconsequential details you previously got wrong, for instance.
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I agree with your comment.
 
what if its more like “I don;t want to bring this up again”?
 
It depends.

Did you tell someone “We are serving chicken at the pic nic” when in fact you are serving turkey?

VS

Did you tell someone “Your husband is having an affair with his secretary!” when in fact you simply saw them at a business meeting.
 
Exactly my point.

For the second it would be prudent to inform the person of your error.
 
TheLittleLady said:
Did you tell someone “Your husband is having an affair with his secretary!” when in fact you simply saw them at a business meeting.
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To my way of thinking, this would be calumny, and the matter would be grave - adultery.
 
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