Sir 27, 17-18 If you betray his confidence, follow him not

(Sir 27, 17-18) If you betray his confidence, follow him not

[17] Cherish your friend, keep faith with him; but if you betray his confidence, follow him not; [18] For as an enemy might kill a man, you have killed your neighbor's friendship.

(CCC 2491) Professional secrets - for example, those of political office holders, soldiers, physicians, and lawyers - or confidential information given under the seal of secrecy must be kept, save in exceptional cases where keeping the secret is bound to cause very grave harm to the one who confided it, to the one who received it or to a third party, and where the very grave harm can be avoided only by divulging the truth. Even if not confided under the seal of secrecy, private information prejudicial to another is not to be divulged without a grave and proportionate reason. (CCC 2492) Everyone should observe an appropriate reserve concerning persons' private lives. Those in charge of communications should maintain a fair balance between the requirements of the common good and respect for individual rights. Interference by the media in the private lives of persons engaged in political or public activity is to be condemned to the extent that it infringes upon their privacy and freedom.