Q. 1293.  What sins are equivalent to stealing?  A. All sins of cheating, defrauding or wronging others of their property; also all sins of borrowing or buying with the intention of never repaying are equivalent to stealing.

Q. 1294.  In what other ways may persons sin against honesty?  A. Persons may sin against honesty also by knowingly receiving, buying or sharing in stolen goods; likewise by giving or taking bribes for dishonest purposes.

Q. 1295. {374} What are we commanded by the seventh Commandment?  A. By the seventh Commandment we are commanded to give to all men what belongs to them and to respect their property.

Q. 1296.  How may persons working for others be guilty of dishonesty?  A. Persons working for others may be guilty of dishonesty by idling the time for which they are paid; also by doing bad work or supplying bad material without their employer’s knowledge.

Q. 1297.  In what other way may a person be guilty of dishonesty?  A. A person may be guilty of dishonesty in getting money or goods by false pretenses and by using either for purposes for which they were not given.

Q. 1298. {375} What is forbidden by the seventh Commandment?  A. The seventh Commandment forbids all unjust taking or keeping what belongs to another.

Q. 1299.  What must we do with things found?  A. We must return things found to their lawful owners as soon as possible, and we must also use reasonable means to find the owners if they are unknown to us.

Q. 1300.  What must we do if we discover we have bought stolen goods?  A. If we discover we have bought stolen goods and know their lawful owners we must return the goods to them as soon as possible without demanding compensation from the owner for what we paid for the goods.

Q. 1301. {376} Are we bound to restore ill-gotten goods?  A. We are bound to restore ill-gotten goods, or the value of them, as far as we are able; otherwise we cannot be forgiven.

Q. 1302.  What must we do if we cannot restore all we owe, or if the person to whom we should restore be dead?  A. If we cannot restore all we owe, we must restore as much as we can, and if the person to whom we should restore be dead we must restore to his children or heirs, and if these cannot be found we may give alms to the poor.

Q. 1303.  What must one do who cannot pay his debts and yet wishes to receive the Sacraments?  A. One who cannot pay his debts and yet wishes to receive the Sacraments must sincerely promise and intend to pay them as soon as possible, and must without delay make every effort to do so.

Q. 1304. {377} Are we obliged to repair the damage we have unjustly caused?  A. We are bound to repair the damage we have unjustly caused.

Q. 1305. {378} What is the eighth Commandment?  A. The eighth Commandment is:  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Q. 1306. {379} What are we commanded by the eighth Commandment?  A. We are commanded by the eighth Commandment to speak the truth in all things, and to be careful of the honor and reputation of every one.