<P> Today , most cultures retain a distinction between lying in general ( which is discouraged under most , but not all , circumstances ) versus perjury ( which is always unlawful under criminal law and liable to punishment ) . Similarly , historically in Jewish tradition , a distinction was made between lying in general and bearing false witness ( perjury ) specifically . On the one hand , bearing false witness ( perjury ) was always prohibited according to the decalogue 's commandement against bearing false witness , yet on the other hand , lying in general was acknowledged to be , in certain circumstances `` permissible or even commendable '' when it was a white lie , and it was done while not under oath , and it was not `` harmful to someone else '' . </P>
<P> Today , most cultures retain a distinction between lying in general ( which is discouraged under most , but not all , circumstances ) versus perjury ( which is always unlawful under criminal law and liable to punishment ) . Similarly , historically in Jewish tradition , a distinction was made between lying in general and bearing false witness ( perjury ) specifically . On the one hand , bearing false witness ( perjury ) was always prohibited according to the decalogue 's commandement against bearing false witness , yet on the other hand , lying in general was acknowledged to be , in certain circumstances `` permissible or even commendable '' when it was a white lie , and it was done while not under oath , and it was not `` harmful to someone else '' . </P>
what does thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour mean
what does thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour mean
perjury
perjury