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in a bargain is stealing to all intents and purposes; because, it is exacting, purloining, or privately stealing from a man all that money or value which is more than the thing sold is really worth, and which the buyer is led to believe is its value. It is said in Ecclesiasticus, that, "As a nail sticks between the pavestones, so does sin between buying and selling;" and if trade were always conducted upon a true Christian principle, fortunes would not with frequency be made so rapidly; nor so many be made bankrupts. Appropriating or arrogating to yourself the merit belonging to another is stealing. Lying has been called robbery, and perhaps with justice; for truth being the foundation of confidence, (which is the basis of society,) truth is the right of every one; and, therefore, to tell any person a lie, upon a serious enquiry, is depriving him of that truth to which he is entitled. We have a proverb, (not generally interpreted according to its real meaning,) which is,

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“truth should not be spoken at all times." But this does not sanction lies being told at any time. It means, that we should never talk inconsiderately nor indiscreetly; for truth may be a libel sometimes, as it is in our law; and how it is so I shall explain in my comment upon the next commandment. It is a monition to those who are not in the habit of bridling their tongues, not to be too zealous to tell at all times all they know. When people put questions of serious import, to which, from circumstances, they have no right to demand an answer, to satisfy them is to commit a folly, or do a mischief; but still they are not to be told a lie; if it be a person who has control over us, and one whom we fear to offend, there are innocent modes of evading the question; but if it be a person of whom we stand in no fear, the question is easily got rid of.

which I am not obliged to

other," (says Puffendorf,)

"In a matter

declare to an

"If I cannot,

with safety, reveal the whole, I may fairly

discover no more than a part." It is necessary to say that mean subterfuges are tantamount to lying. This proverb prohibits also officious tattling, which is always injurious to some one or other, and which, by depriving them of some degree of estimation, deprives them of an equal degree of right. Let me say a few words upon a species of falsehood much practised by old and young; the nature of which will be well understood by the term white lies. These being resorted to as excuses or subterfuges, and being told without any mischievous intention, and having no apparent malignancy in them, are presumed to be innocent; and, when they are told to prevent ill consequences to others, are deemed meritorious. I know not if that which is false can in any case be innocent, much less meritorious; and I am persuaded that those who habituate themselves to tell white lies will be insensibly led to tell black ones; so easy is the transition from that

which is probably innocence to that which is positively guilt. He who hazards a lie to prevent ill consequences to another, and draws them on himself, is certainly entitled to praise for good nature; but I question if he deserve credit for good sense; because, at best, he trifles with truth, and God being the fountain of truth, it is a grave matter to trifle with so sacred an essential. We are commanded to be tenacious for truth, and not to do evil that good may come of it. This (without entering into the abstract subtleties of casuistry in regard to extreme cases, which rarely occur) I recommend most seriously to my young readers; assuring them that nothing will more effectually purify their hearts, and render them more easily ac cessible by virtuous and pious inclinations, than a conscientious regard to truth; while nothing will so soon destroy all the good principles of the mind as temporising with it. Indeed the common consent of society has stamped a greater stigma upon a liar

than even upon a thief. The lamentable defection of truth and sincerity, (which, nevertheless, presents itself every where,) while it shocks the feeling mind, may convince the considerate one, what enemies to human nature are those, falsely called philosophers, who for the last few years have been, and are now insidiously propagaing among us the doctrines of infidelity and the impracticable dogmas of political puritanism.

NINTH COMMANDMENT.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."

This command does not merely prohibit giving false evidence in a court of justice, but also saying that which is false against our neighbour any where, or in any case; and not only so, but saying

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