Which is less harmful: lying in response to a direct question about marital secrets, or revealing one of these secrets?

The one who is in a state of necessity incurs no sin. Pressing necessity is estimated by its extent. It is better to use allusions (tawriya) and circumlocution (kinaya) if possible. Lying is less severe than exposing a secret if it is the only option, because lying's harm is not transitive, whereas exposing a secret's harm is transitive. There is no blame upon the one who is compelled by necessity in this matter.