Twisting the truth

[RedDuke50]

Is it a sin to twist the truth? Like leaving details out or something. If it is, is it mortal or venial?

Thanks :}

 

[thistle]

Is it a sin to twist the truth? Like leaving details out or something. If it is, is it mortal or venial?

Thanks :}

CCC 2482 "A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving."The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: “You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

CCC 2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man’s relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.

CCC 2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.

CCC 2485 By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray.

CCC 2486 Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.

CCC 2487 Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another’s reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience.

 

[Mark1970]

The following quotation is taken from “Handbook of Moral Theology”, By Dominic M Prummer OP:

1. Mental Reservation and Amphibology.
   DEFINITIONS. Mental reservation is an act of the mind whereby in the course of conversation we restrict the sense of words used to a meaning different from their obvious meaning. If a prudent man could gather the intended meaning from the surrounding circumstances, then it is a broad mental reservation; otherwise it is strict.

Amphibology is a statement with several meanings (Peter is staying at home = he is actually at home or he dines at home.)

PRINCIPLE. Strict mental reservation is never permitted, but when there is need or reasonable cause one may have recourse to broad mental reservation or to amphibology.

Strict mental reservation is an odious lie, whereas broad mental reservations and amphibology are a concealment of truth which in certain circumstances is not only permitted but even necessary and was used by Christ Himself (John vii, 8; Mark xiii, 22). Generally speaking, however, mental restriction should be used as little as possible in the course of conversation.

A priest once commented to me that life would become intolerable if we had to be completely open and honest with everyone we talk to about all the details of our lives!

 

[RedDuke50]

thistle, Monicad, and Mark1970,

Thank you for your answers. They were very good! Now I know that I shouldn’t twist the truth.