The Handshake Number

Illuminated manuscript panel: two clasped hands in the medieval fede gesture, red sleeve and black sleeve, on burnished gold leaf

The Situation

Friday you shook on it: forty-eight five for the framing package, labor and material, start in three weeks. Monday the mill announces a surcharge and your lumber quote comes back up nine percent. The contract is not signed — there is no contract, just your hand in his and a number both of you repeated out loud. Your margin at forty-eight five is now four points, maybe three. Everyone knows quotes move, you tell yourself; he would understand. You could call and reopen it. You could also send the contract Tuesday with fifty-two nine typed where the number goes, and see if he notices what the market did. It is just paper catching up to reality.

The Question

Does a number you shook on bind you when the market moves against it before the ink?

VERDICT

Yes. The handshake was the contract; the paper only remembers it. The commitment was morally just when you made it, so it binds — the Catechism does not say contracts are to be observed while the margin holds; it says strictly, and in good faith. The psalmist's just man is known by exactly this hour: he sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not — the oath kept when keeping it costs. Your speech was yea; let it stay yea. What honesty permits: call him, show him the surcharge, and ask — relief freely given is not breach. What it forbids is the retyped number sent in silence, hoping he does not notice.

The Warrant

Promises must be kept and contracts strictly observed to the extent that the commitments made in them are morally just. … All contracts must be agreed to and executed in good faith.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶2410

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? … He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice: … He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue … He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not … He that doth these things, shall not be moved for ever.

Psalm 14:1–5 (Douay-Rheims)

But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

Matthew 5:37 (Douay-Rheims)

Before Sundown

Send the contract at the number you shook on. If you need relief, call him today and ask for it openly, surcharge sheet in hand.

The handshake was the contract. The paper only remembers it.

Canonical Verdict is free. Every citation is verifiable. Where the Church has ruled we say VERDICT; where prudence governs we say COUNSEL — and show the reasoning.