Do you always say whats on your mind?

Question

I want to know what you think. Do you think that honesty is always the best policy. Even when it's at others expence? Do you care how other people feel? Or do you say whatever you want and worry about he repercussions later, or not at all? What ever happined to "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all?" Thats what I was taught. I personally think that people should think before they speak. Most things are better left unsaid.... Just my two sence for the night,

I don't mean on here. I mean in real life. With your real friends and family...

Maybe I should have been more specific... When nobody asked... I always anwser questions honestly... (well with the exception of "does this make me look fat" Etc... There is a nice way to say it... Do you use your filter..?

Answer 1

Speaking ones mind, and being a brainless blabber mouth are two completely different subjects. Yes you should always be honest with even the smallest item, because honesty is not only the best policy, it is the only policy. when a person starts telling little lies for what they might consider to be for the good, they are starting on a long and slippery path of delusion that will ultimately prevent them from clearly seeing right from wrong.

To thine own self be true, and to others, do not allow the truth to be spoken as to harm someone else. Just keep mouth closed.
What you were taught is exactly right and your teacher(s) were wise and good to teach you that.

Sounds to me like you have it all together and that you are making reference to one who tends to open mouth and insert foot. Engage brain before tongue is always a good and wise policy.

You are a good person, don't ever change that.

Darryl S.

Answer 2

Honesty is not always the best policy. I was always taught, if the person can do something about the issue easily, then go ahead and say it. A good example is if someone comes out of the bathroom and their skirt is tucked into their pantyhose - say something so they can save additional embarassment. Or if someone's slip is showing, tell them, they can easily correct it. But if they have a run in their stockings - don't say anything, there's not much they can do about it now unless they happen to carry an extra pair in their purse, which most people don't. Also, if someone says, do you like my outfit, and you don't, you really shouldn't say so. It will only make the person feel bad and self-conscious for the rest of the event.

On more serious questions someone might ask you, you have to ask yourself: Will telling the brutal truth serve any good purpose for that person, over and above the hurt or embarassment they will feel from knowing the truth? If the answer is yes, maybe you should be truthful. Unless the consequences of not telling the truth are damaging, I would opt for saving a person's feelings.

When I was 17 I worked a summer job at the town hall where I lived. This was in the late 70's. I started wearing halter tops (skinny little things not much bigger than a bra, in case you're too young to know what they are). No one in my office said anything the first time I wore it. So I continued wearing it. One day, an older lady, the executive secretary to the Mayor and a friend of my family, stopped me on the stairs and very gently told me how inappropriate my halter top was. I was embarassed and didn't speak to her for a bit. But I never wore halter tops again, and I felt self-conscious, as I KNEW she was right. I wished someone had taken me aside the first time I wore one. Later in the summer I apolotized to her for not speaking to her, explained that I was embarassed and thanked her for the advice. So sometimes the truth does hurt but the person does need to hear it for their own good.

Answer 3

I speak what's on my mind when with friends, or when it becomes an issue at the workplace.
Now there is a tactful way to speak the truth and this is what I would suggest in all situations.
Is honesty the best policy?It is the ONLY policy if you intend to be MY friend/acquaintence.

Answer 4

On here, yes i do say everything on my mind. But in real life or during a conversation, no I don't. It's not wise to say what you really think aloud, unless it's necessary. It's like this.. when you're talking to a .. for axample this one man and he has a big pimple on his forehead and a piece of broccoli stuck between his teeth, you don't just.. tell him do you? you avoid him, that's what most people do..temporarily. The wise have the saying... the most dangerous is the least spoken ones, becareful with that person. So it depends.

Answer 5

I think honesty is usually the best policy - but even the best policy may have to make room for the occasional and well-thought-out exception.

Answer 6

i do actually speak my mind most of the times and the few times that i do not i have to bite my tongue but not for long. i have learned that speaking your mind is one of the most important things: it is both truth and honesty which are hard to find at times. yes, i care how others feel yet tell them how i feel but i believe that honesty is the best policy: it teaches you about trust, builds the stronger foundation to a relationship as well as it shows your character. the person who is bold and speaks the truth is the one who knows what they want vs. the person who does not does not know when or when to speak his/her mind. at some point i speak my mind at others expenses but would rather know that i said what is on my mind and the truth rather than lie or bullshit, saying something that would come to their advantage or something that is not they expect from me. yes, i speak what is on my mind but at times forget about what happens later:people either want to listen to me or not it is simple. as for not having anything nice to say still say it since it is what you think and criticism that might help them.

Answer 7

I agree with you. Sometimes not saying anything is the best thing to do. Every situation has to be judged separately. Speak up when it is warranted or just keep quite.
We must remember there is a lost of respect these days, so people don't care what they say or who they say it to.

Answer 8

Honesty is generally a good thing; however, tact is important. I do not believe that telling a "social lie" is a bad thing if it is to spare someone's feelings, my definition of a social lie being one that is not about something truly of importance or potentially harmful.

Answer 9

All the problems that I have ever had in my life, and, all the problems in the world today could have been avoided if I and others would have spoken up much louder, much more bluntly, much more honestly.

Answer 10

I agree with you! If you have nothing nice to say then just say nothing at all! Also there is a time and place for every kind of speech!