Do not lie or use harmful speech

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Fifth prohibition

Original term: Fifth prohibition

Transliteration: Fifth prohibition

Literal meaning

Avoid falsehood, defamation, broken promises, incitement and malicious speech.

Broader interpretation

Avoid falsehood, defamation, broken promises, incitement and malicious speech.

Historical context

This principle belongs to Cao Dai Five Prohibitions and must be read within that framework's setting.

Practical meaning

Avoid falsehood, defamation, broken promises, incitement and malicious speech.

Ethical purpose

Avoid falsehood, defamation, broken promises, incitement and malicious speech.

Exceptions and disputes

Older social assumptions should be distinguished from defensible principles of consent, equality, proportionality and harm prevention.

Variations across schools or traditions

Short summaries often narrow the fourth and fifth prohibitions, while the canonical explanations address wider conduct.

Modern application

Avoid falsehood, defamation, broken promises, incitement and malicious speech. Modern application should consider consent, evidence, proportionality, power and consequences.

Criticism and difficult cases

Older social assumptions should be distinguished from defensible principles of consent, equality, proportionality and harm prevention.

Truth By Reason analysis

Avoid falsehood, defamation, broken promises, incitement and malicious speech. Application should preserve the ethical purpose while avoiding coercion, discrimination and preventable harm.

Ethical themes

• Honesty
• Peace

Sources

• The New Canonical Codes — The Five Prohibitions Primary source