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Objection 1: It would seem that justice, judgment and truth are
unsuitably assigned as the conditions accompanying an oath. Things
should not be enumerated as diverse, if one of them includes the
other. Now of these three, one includes another, since truth is a
part of justice, according to Tully (De Invent. Rhet. ii,
53): and judgment is an act of justice, as stated above (Question
60, Article 1). Therefore the three accompanying conditions of
an oath are unsuitably assigned.
Objection 2: Further, many other things are required for an oath,
namely, devotion, and faith whereby we believe that God knows all
things and cannot lie. Therefore the accompanying conditions of an
oath are insufficiently enumerated.
Objection 3: Further, these three are requisite in man's every
deed: since he ought to do nothing contrary to justice and truth, or
without judgment, according to 1 Tim. 5:21, "Do nothing
without prejudice," i.e. without previous judgment. Therefore
these three should not be associated with an oath any more than with
other human actions.
On the contrary, It is written (Jer. 4:2): "Thou shalt
swear: As the Lord liveth, in truth, and in judgment, and in
justice": which words Jerome expounds, saying: "Observe that an
oath must be accompanied by these conditions, truth, judgment and
justice."
I answer that, As stated above (Article 2), an oath is not good
except for one who makes good use of it. Now two conditions are
required for the good use of an oath. First, that one swear, not for
frivolous, but for urgent reasons, and with discretion; and this
requires judgment or discretion on the part of the person who swears.
Secondly, as regards the point to be confirmed by oath, that it be
neither false, nor unlawful, and this requires both truth, so that
one employ an oath in order to confirm what is true, and justice, so
that one confirm what is lawful. A rash oath lacks judgment, a false
oath lacks truth, and a wicked or unlawful oath lacks justice.
Reply to Objection 1: Judgment does not signify here the execution
of justice, but the judgment of discretion, as stated above. Nor is
truth here to be taken for the part of justice, but for a condition of
speech.
Reply to Objection 2: Devotion, faith and like conditions
requisite for the right manner of swearing are implied by judgment: for
the other two regard the things sworn to as stated above. We might
also reply that justice regards the reason for swearing.
Reply to Objection 3: There is great danger in swearing, both on
account of the greatness of God Who is called upon to bear witness,
and on account of the frailty of the human tongue, the words of which
are confirmed by oath. Hence these conditions are more requisite for
an oath than for other human actions.
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