truth.’ [1] Thus, putting aside all lying, which becomes only the bad who would fain be concealed, ' speak ye the truth every man with his neighbour; for we are members one of another.’ [2] The hand would not deceive the head that it was guiding through the darkness; the eye would not betray the foot, nor the foot hide its course from the eye. Could those members of our body speak and question each other, they would simply tell one another the truth in all things by yes or no. Try, O Christian people! to live thus. Do not play the mysterious and self-important personages. Be silent from reasons of prudence or moderation, and not for the sake of appearing wise and solemn. Let no dissimulation be found in you; and, above all, do nothing evil, or doubtful, or suspicious, so that you may have nothing to disguise. If you sin — for who does not? — and you have to discover your sin to a confessor, as you would a wound to your surgeon, say simply, 'It is so — it is not so,’ without seeking vain excuses for your fault or long circumlocutions to wrap it up in. Humility will make you sincere, and if you keep to sincerity will infallibly cure you.
When we swear by the Name of God, and
