B. Defaming by Public Revelation of a True but Hidden Crime

260. About the second [n.252] I say that he is not bound to retract his word, which he put forward in public, because by doing this he would be lying, since he knows that what he put forward is true. And he is not bound to lie for the sake of return of any good to another; but he is bound to return him his reputation in some other licit way, as for example by these words: “Do not believe him to be such, for I spoke badly and spoke foolishly.” And these words indeed are true “I spoke badly, I spoke foolishly, because I put forward in public, without keeping to the order of right, what is not true, public.” And this persuading “do not reckon him to be such” is a good one, because everyone is to be presumed good until the contrary be proved, according to Gregory IX, Decretals I tit.12 ch.1, ‘About making scrutiny in order’: “Human fragility should reckon him worthy who is not known to be unworthy.” But this man has not been proved to be bad in their presence; therefore, it is good to persuade them that they not reckon him unworthy or bad.