Thus, in its wider meaning, this ninth commandment reprehends any word of ours which would injure the reputation of our neighbor, be it uttered in public or in private. This should scarcely need any arguing, for if we restrict this commandment to its literal terms it would have no bearing on any save that small minority who are called upon to bear witness in a court of justice. In its widest application this commandment has to do with the regulation of our speech, which is one of the distinguishing and ennobling faculties that God has bestowed upon man. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Thus, as the eighth commandment provides for the security of our neighbor s property, so this one is designed to preserve his good name by our speaking the truth about him in love.
Veracity is the strict observance of truth in all our communications.
The importance and necessity of this appears from the fact that almost all that mankind knows is derived from communications. The value of those statements which we accept from others depends entirely on their verity and accuracy. If they are false, they are worthless, misleading, and evil. Veracity is not only a virtue, but it is also the root of all other virtues and the foundation of all right character. Thus the first sin prohibited therein is that of lying.