False wyt nesse.
The Question of False Witness
The Master asks how the commandment against bearing false witness is to be kept.
Master. How can that commandment about bearing no false witness be kept?
The Duty of Truthfulness
The Scholar answers that we must neither speak lies nor tolerate them in others, but always uphold the truth as opportunity allows.
Scholar. If we ourselves neither speak any false or empty lie, nor allow it in others, whether by speech, silence, or our presence in their company. But we should always uphold the truth, as time and place allow.
Read the original English
Master. Howe maye that commaundement be kepte, of bearynge no false wytnesse?
Scholer. Yf we neyther oure selues speake anye false or vayne lye: nor alowe it in other, eyther by speeche or silence, or by our present companye. But wee oughte, alwayes to maintayne truth, as place and tyme serueth.
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit