|
Objection 1: It would seem that reviling or railing is not a mortal
sin. For no mortal sin is an act of virtue. Now railing is the act
of a virtue, viz. of wittiness eutrapelia [FS, Question 60,
Article 5] to which it pertains to rail well, according to the
Philosopher (Ethic. iv, 8). Therefore railing or reviling is
not a mortal sin.
Objection 2: Further, mortal sin is not to be found in perfect
men; and yet these sometimes give utterance to railing or reviling.
Thus the Apostle says (Gal. 3:1): "O senseless
Galatians!," and our Lord said (Lk. 24:25): "O foolish
and slow of heart to believe!" Therefore railing or reviling is not a
mortal sin.
Objection 3: Further, although that which is a venial sin by reason
of its genus may become mortal, that which is mortal by reason of its
genus cannot become venial, as stated above (FS, Question 88,
Articles 4,6). Hence if by reason of its genus it were a mortal
sin to give utterance to railing or reviling, it would follow that it
is always a mortal sin. But this is apparently untrue, as may be seen
in the case of one who utters a reviling word indeliberately or through
slight anger. Therefore reviling or railing is not a mortal sin, by
reason of its genus.
On the contrary, Nothing but mortal sin deserves the eternal
punishment of hell. Now railing or reviling deserves the punishment of
hell, according to Mt. 5:22, "Whosoever shall say to his
brother . . . Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."
Therefore railing or reviling is a mortal sin.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 1), words are injurious
to other persons, not as sounds, but as signs, and this signification
depends on the speaker's inward intention. Hence, in sins of word,
it seems that we ought to consider with what intention the words are
uttered. Since then railing or reviling essentially denotes a
dishonoring, if the intention of the utterer is to dishonor the other
man, this is properly and essentially to give utterance to railing or
reviling: and this is a mortal sin no less than theft or robbery,
since a man loves his honor no less than his possessions. If, on the
other hand, a man says to another a railing or reviling word, yet with
the intention, not of dishonoring him, but rather perhaps of
correcting him or with some like purpose, he utters a railing or
reviling not formally and essentially, but accidentally and
materially, in so far to wit as he says that which might be a railing
or reviling. Hence this may be sometimes a venial sin, and sometimes
without any sin at all. Nevertheless there is need of discretion in
such matters, and one should use such words with moderation, because
the railing might be so grave that being uttered inconsiderately it
might dishonor the person against whom it is uttered. In such a case a
man might commit a mortal sin, even though he did not intend to
dishonor the other man: just as were a man incautiously to injure
grievously another by striking him in fun, he would not be without
blame.
Reply to Objection 1: It belongs to wittiness to utter some slight
mockery, not with intent to dishonor or pain the person who is the
object of the mockery, but rather with intent to please and amuse: and
this may be without sin, if the due circumstances be observed. on the
other hand if a man does not shrink from inflicting pain on the object
of his witty mockery, so long as he makes others laugh, this is
sinful, as stated in the passage quoted.
Reply to Objection 2: Just as it is lawful to strike a person, or
damnify him in his belongings for the purpose of correction, so too,
for the purpose of correction, may one say a mocking word to a person
whom one has to correct. It is thus that our Lord called the
disciples "foolish," and the Apostle called the Galatians
"senseless." Yet, as Augustine says (De Serm. Dom. in Monte
ii, 19), "seldom and only when it is very necessary should we have
recourse to invectives, and then so as to urge God's service, not
our own."
Reply to Objection 3: Since the sin of railing or reviling depends
on the intention of the utterer, it may happen to be a venial sin, if
it be a slight railing that does not inflict much dishonor on a man,
and be uttered through lightness of heart or some slight anger, without
the fixed purpose of dishonoring him, for instance when one intends by
such a word to give but little pain.
|
|