9252. And thou shalt not answer upon a cause to turn aside after many to pervert it. That this signifies no association with those who turn goods and truths into evils and falsities, and conversely, is evident from the signification of "answering upon a cause," as being to do so about what is just and equitable, and what is good and true, concerning which there is contention (see n. 9024); to answer is to declare one's opinion, and to judge; and from the signification of "turning aside after many," as being to conform to, and thus associate with many; and from the signification of "perverting," as being to turn truth into falsity, and good into evil; and conversely.