A Topic of Moral Theology
Lying and Mental Reservation
The malice of lying; when reservation is lawful.
The works themselves ask 29 questions under this heading — see them together with their answers.
Within this topic
See also Secrets — in Truthfulness and Reputation (Eighth Commandment)
Also asked about as…
deception · dishonesty · fibbing · lies · telling a lie · white lies (ed.)
In the index as Lying · Lie · Mental restriction (Restrictio mentalis) · Lies (see Lying) · Simulation (Simulatio) · Hypocrisy · Amphibology (Amphibologia) · Detraction · Equivocation · Reputation · Secret · Truth · Dissimulation of truth · Mental reservation · Truthfulness · Deception · Defamation · Injury of right in external goods · Irony · Judgment · Restitution of reputation · Boasting · Cause (Causa) · Confessor
In the manuals
Read the manuals side by side → — each work's whole treatment in its own column
A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries
Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. VIII, Chapter IV. Lying, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)
Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)
Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. VIII, Section I. On the Injury of Truth, or on Lying, nn. ¶1, 1062, 1063, 1064 & 1065 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)
Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Temptation of God, n. 2301 — Cases Wherein There Is no Temptation of God. Cases Wherein There Is no Temptation of God.—(a) To seek a proof of divine perfections is not temptation of God, if the purpose is only to find new reasons for what one already accepts, or to experience in an affective w… Read in context →
Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 6. The Remaining Potential Parts of Justice; the Gift of Piety; the Commandments, Lying, nn. 2389, 2390, 2391, 2392, 2393, 2394, 2395, 2396 & 2397 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 6. The Remaining Pote…, Mental Reservation, nn. 2398, 2399, 2400, 2401 & 2402 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 6. The Remaining Pote…, Simulation, nn. 2403 & 2404 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)
Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)
Vol. II, On the Eighth Precept of t…, IV. On Lying, nn. 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526, 1527, 1528, 1529, 1530, 1531, 1532, 1533, 1534 & 1535 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)
Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.
Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Eighth Precept of t…, Ch. I, Article I. On Lying in General, nn. 438, 439 & 440 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)
A Handbook of Moral Theology (Koch–Preuss)
Vol. V, Pt. I, Ch. II, Section 5: The Sin of Lying, nn. ¶1–¶28 (28 passages)
Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels
Vol. II, Bk. II, Tract VI: On the Virtue of…, Chapter III: On Lying, nn. 703, 704, 705 & 706 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)
Manuale Theologiae Moralis
Vol. II, Tr. XI, Sect. I, Q. III, Ch. III, Art. IV, II. On Injuries By Words O…, § 2. On Lying, nn. 166, 167, 168, 169 & 170 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium
Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. I, ARTICLE I: ON LYING IN GENERAL, nn. ¶510 & ¶511 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. I, ARTICLE II: ON MENTAL RESTRICTION, nn. ¶512, ¶513, ¶514 & ¶515 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)
Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eighth Precept of the Decalogue, nn. ¶1, ¶2 & ¶1175 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Chapter I: On the Injury of Truth, nn. ¶1 & ¶1176 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. I, Article I: On Lying, nn. ¶1177 & ¶1178 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. I, Article II: On Mental Restriction, nn. ¶1179, ¶1180, ¶1181, ¶1182 & ¶1183 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. I, Article III: On Violation of Secrecy, n. ¶1184 — 1184. DEFINITION. Secret or hidden matter in general is called whatever is occult. But here is understood whatever, either from its nature or from a special contract, must be preserved occult. DIVISION. Besides sacrament… Read in context →
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. I, Art. III, § 1. On Revelation of a Secret, nn. ¶1, ¶1185, ¶1186 & ¶1187 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. I, Art. III, § 2. On Inquiry into and Use of Another's Secret, nn. ¶1188 & ¶1189 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Chapter II: On Injury of Reputation, nn. ¶1 & ¶1190 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. II, Article I: On Rash Judgment, nn. ¶1191, ¶1192, ¶1193 & ¶1194 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. II, Article II: On Detraction, nn. ¶1195, ¶1196, ¶1197, ¶1198, ¶1199, ¶1200 & ¶1201 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. II, Article III: On the Obligation of Defending the Reputation of Neighbor, nn. ¶1, ¶1202, ¶1203 & ¶1204 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Ch. II, Article IV: On Restitution of Reputation, nn. ¶1205, ¶1206, ¶1207, ¶1208 & ¶1209 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tractate VIII: On the Eigh…, Chapter III: On Injury of Honor, nn. ¶1, ¶1210, ¶2, ¶1211, ¶1212, ¶1213, ¶3, ¶1214, ¶1215 & ¶1216 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)
Summa Theologiae Moralis
Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Fifth Part: On the Virtues…, Section E: On Truth, Question Three: On Lying, Article I: On Lying Itself, nn. ¶1, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862 & 863 (32 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Fifth Part: On the Virtues…, Section E: On Truth, Question Three: On Lying, Article II: On the Species of Lying, nn. ¶1, 864, 865, 866, 867 & 868 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)
Compendium of Moral Theology
Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Eighth Precept of t…, Chapter I. On Lying and Mental Restriction, nn. 310, 311, 312 & 313 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)
Palladium Theologicum, Tome V: On the Virtues
Tr. IV, Disputation XIII: On the O…, Sect. V, Friendship, Liberality, Epikeia, and the Opposed V…, Question II: On lying, n. 1 — THE INTERCOURSE of human society requires that the lips accord with the heart, nor that one thing be uttered by the mouth and another conceived in the mind; whence, since by the Author of nature the voice was instituted … Read in context →
Moral Philosophy: Ethics, Deontology and Natural Law
Pt. III, Ch. III, Section I. Of the Definition of a Lie, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)
Pt. III, Ch. III, Section II. Of the Evil of Lying, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)
Pt. III, Ch. III, Section III. Of the keeping of Secrets without Lying, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
The Catechism of the Council of Trent (The Roman Catechism)
Pt. III, The Eighth Commandment, nn. ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11, ¶12, ¶13, ¶14, ¶24, ¶25, ¶26, ¶44, ¶45, ¶46, ¶47, ¶48, ¶49 & ¶50 (18 passages — hover a number to read it)
The Casuist: A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology
Vol. III, Case VII: Is It Ever Permitted to Tell a Lie?, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)
The Catechism Explained: An Exhaustive Exposition of the Christian Religion
Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, A. THE COMMANDMENTS, X. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF…, THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT OF …, 2. THE COMMAND AGAINST UNTRUTHFULNESS, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7 & ¶8 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)
Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, A. THE COMMANDMENTS, X. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF…, THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT OF …, What are the Reasons that should make us Refrain from Untruthfulness?, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11, ¶12 & ¶13 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)
A Brief Text-Book of Moral Philosophy
Chapter IV: Our Rights and Duties Towards Our Fellow-men, nn. 152, 153, ¶293, 154, 155, ¶296, ¶297, 156, ¶299, ¶300, ¶301, 157, ¶303, ¶304, ¶305 & ¶306 (16 passages — hover a number to read it)
Guide for Catholic Young Women
Chapter LXXI: Scripture on Lying, nn. ¶860, ¶861, ¶862, ¶863, ¶864, ¶865, ¶866 & ¶867 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)
Chapter LXXII: The Devil’s Pretexts for Lying, nn. ¶868–¶882 (15 passages)
Chapter LXXIII: Examples of Truthfulness, nn. ¶883, ¶884, ¶885, ¶886, ¶887, ¶888 & ¶889 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)
Cases of Conscience for English-Speaking Countries, Volume I
Slater, Cases I, The Eighth Commandment, Case 1. Essence of a Lie, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8 & ¶9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
Summa of Moral Theology (Summa Theologiae Moralis)
Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Book Seventh. On the Eight…, Question Second. On Lesion…, Article First. On Lying, nn. 636, 637 & 638 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)
Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Book Seventh. On the Eight…, Question Second. On Lesion…, Article Second. On Amphibology and Mental Restriction, nn. 639, 640 & 641 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)
Cases of Conscience, Proposed by Cardinal de Lugo, by Fr. Beniamino Elbel, by Fr. Ioannes Petrus Gury and by Other Authors, and Resolved (Casus conscientiae)
88. Mental Restriction, Secret, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (16 passages — hover a number to read it)
Christian Theology, Dogmatic and Moral, Volume III: On the Decalogue
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibological Oath: On Mental Restrictions, and on Lying, n. ¶1 — Preliminary Remarks. I undertake to handle the most difficult question that exists in all of theology, one which I feel unequal to my own strength to treat. For, having often trodden similar paths, and, indeed, the more turbulent the water a… Read in context →
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Ch. I, Origen, Hilary, John Chrysostom, Cassian, John Climacus, and Martin of Braga, concerning the licit use of a lie in extreme necessity, are reviewed, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Ch. II, Augustine's time, declared war on lying, are recounted. After Augustine, none of the Catholics favored lying, nn. I, II, III, IV & V (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter III — A compendious narration of everything that St. Augustine writes in his Book on Lying, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII & XIII (13 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter IV — A compendium of the Book Against Lying, which St. Augustine wrote to Consentius, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter V — How opportune Augustine's teaching is for settling the controversy concerning the deceitful oath will be made plain from the following propositions, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter VI — A historical narration of the doctrine which several more recent writers devised for concealing truth. Purely mental restrictions, not-purely-mental restrictions, equivocations, amphibologies, and material locutions are reviewed, nn. I–XIX (19 passages)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter VII — The Supreme Pontiff Innocent XI condemned the principles of the aforesaid propositions. Later theologians devised new inventions, by which to conceal truth. A synopsis of the various doctrines, and of the various principles, of these theologians is woven together, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & X (10 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter VIII — A comparison of the doctrine of certain more recent writers with the doctrine of Cassian, to whom lies were licit in extreme necessity, and of Augustine, who pronounces lies to be contrary in every event. The same cases, both proposed and resolved by Augustine, and by the contrary doctrine, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII & VIII (8 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter IX — The doctrine of more recent writers concerning purely mental restrictions is false, and was rightly condemned by the Church, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX (9 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter X — The opinion which asserts that words, by common consent of the human commonwealth, signify nothing, when they are employed to conceal a truth which cannot be manifested without grave harm, is rejected as altogether improbable, and false, nn. I, II, III, IV & V (5 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XI — The response of Tamburini is refuted, whose assertion seems altogether laxer than the very proposition condemned concerning mental restrictions, nn. I, II, III, IV, V & VI (6 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XII — The opinion of Fr. Cattaneo, of Fr. La Croix, and of a few other authors, who compare a lie with a theft committed in extreme necessity, does not seem consonant with the teaching of the Church, nn. I–XV (15 passages)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XIII — The common opinion of very many more recent writers, which defends restrictions not purely mental, by the benefit of communicable and incommunicable, useful and non-useful knowledge, is brought under examination. It does not differ from the opinion of authors upholding purely mental restrictions, nn. I–XV (15 passages)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XIV — The causes why very many more recent writers really defend proscribed purely mental restrictions. Fr. Sánchez disapproves, beforehand, the opinion of later Casuists. More recent writers' opinions concerning oaths confirmed by restrictions are more dangerous than the ancients' doctrine on the licit use of lying. St. Augustine's invectives against restrictions, nn. I–XVII (17 passages)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XV — The causes are further explained why very many more recent writers really teach purely mental restrictions, and consequently lies. The explanation by which Fr. La Croix interprets the condemned propositions is rejected. His judgment concerning Fr. Cárdenas is approved, and extended to other authors, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI & XII (12 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XVI — Fr. Diego de la Fuente Hurtado upholds that purely mental restrictions are licit for an honorable cause, even after Innocent XI condemned these restrictions. Fr. Carlo Antonio Casnedi teaches that purely mental restrictions are not condemned, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII & XIII (13 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XVII — Our own opinion is proposed. Amphibology is licit, which, whether by force of words, or of circumstances, admits a double sense, both intelligible to the hearer. Not all truths can always be concealed by amphibologies. The error of very many more recent writers on this matter is exposed. Various rules are assigned for full understanding of the question, and for practice, nn. I–XVIII (18 passages)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XVIII — The texts of Sacred Scripture which the ancients oppose in defense of lies, and more recent writers in defense of mental restrictions, are expounded, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII & VIII (8 passages — hover a number to read it)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XIX — Certain Gospel texts are adduced, which are customarily brought forward in favor of mental restrictions, and are explained, nn. I–XVII (17 passages)
Diss. III, Equivocal, Ambiguous, and Amphibologi…, Chapter XX — Some objections, drawn both from reason, and from examples, and from the doctrine of the Saints — especially St. Raymond, and from the work of Annibaldus, commonly ascribed to St. Thomas — are resolved, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII & VIII (8 passages — hover a number to read it)