523. What is forbidden by the eighth commandment? (part 2 continuation)

523. What is forbidden by the eighth commandment? (part 2 continuation)     

(Comp 523 repetition) The eighth commandment forbids: * false witness, perjury, and lying, the gravity of which is measured by the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims; * rash judgment, slander, defamation and calumny which diminish or destroy the good reputation and honor to which every person has a right; * flattery, adulation, or complaisance, especially if directed to serious sins or toward the achievement of illicit advantages. A sin committed against truth demands reparation if it has caused harm to others.

“In brief”

(CCC 2508) Lying consists in saying what is false with the intention of deceiving one’s neighbor. (CCC 2509) An offense committed against the truth requires reparation.     

To deepen and explain

(CCC 2479) Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity. (CCC 2480) Every word or attitude is forbidden which by flattery, adulation, or complaisance encourages and confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. Adulation is a grave fault if it makes one an accomplice in another's vices or grave sins. Neither the desire to be of service nor friendship justifies duplicitous speech. Adulation is a venial sin when it only seeks to be agreeable, to avoid evil, to meet a need, or to obtain legitimate advantages. 

Reflection

(CCC 2478) To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 22). [IT CONTINUES] 

(The question: What is forbidden by the eighth commandment? continues)