Mini-commentary on the 9th commandment

Mini-commentary on the 9th commandment:

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” Exodus 20:16

Literally interpreted, this can mean "do not give false testimony against another person, whether under oath or otherwise."

It does not appear to banish lying generally. In fact, there is no commandment that specifically says, "Thou shalt not lie." Nor, to my knowledge, is there one that says: "Thou shall not deceive."

Lying and deceit are among humanity's very first natural defenses, starting in infancy. They later evolve from a defense to an offense.

We are all guilty of it, even if we do no more than lie to ourselves, to deceive our selves, rather than others. In this respect, deceit, humans are joined by plants, animals and all kinds of microbes.

Maybe lying and deceit are inherent in life, being the ever present deflected shadow of light.