Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 455.

YOUCAT Question n. 455 - What does it mean to be truthful?

(Youcat answer) 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.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 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.

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) 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.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 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 (Cf. Prov 19:9). 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 (Cf. Prov 18:5). 

(The next question is: What should you do if you have lied to, deceived, or betrayed someone?)