Is keeping quiet about something the same as lying?

Question

See.. I hate lying and am very against it and hate it when people do lie... so just worried I'm contradicting myself if I don't say something then I'm lying...

Answer 1

No, it is not.

For the simple reason that you are not telling anyone anything. You are not hurting anyone.You are keeping it to yourself.

Lying is when you know something and you dont want that person(s) to know that you know. You are not saying anything at all. By doing this the person will not know whether you know something or not, unless of course ......you are quetioned. At this point, if you say something that is not true..... than yes, you are lying.

If you somehow avoid that question and pretend you did not hear it or diverse from it by changing the topic and taking that persons attention away from the question/ topic.......so as to not give an answer..... than that too. is ok. You have not lied because no words have passed your lips that says you lied either to yourself or the person.

Sometimes keeping one's mouth shut, to avoid the unpleasant is better. It is better to do this then find you have hurt someone or even yourself. More importantly, you are still not lying.

There comes a time too, when you maybe asked about something that they feel you might know, .... and then other peron asks you about it. At this point, you are at a cross-roads with yourself because you know that the person is waiting for a responce but you dont want to lie to them. So the best thing to do (and it works too) is to one give that person a "deep" look straight into the eyes - a look that says,...."yes I do know, but I am not saying anything". If that person respects your wishes, they will not drop you in a difficult situation by pushing you into answering. They will read you well, but leave the topic there. A silent understanding is reached!!!....

does anything I have said that make sence?? I dont lie, I will avoid it. Or someone may ask me a question more than once, if they dont get a responce, they get the picture. Nothing more is said.

Sometimes, I just smile! Saying nothing!! They again know that i will not open my mouth. But these situations are when the lying is about minor things that will not hurt anyone but that i dont want to lie even so.

When it is serious, then ......thats different. It depends upon the nature of that person who is asked the question. I just go quite. I turn a bright red, or cry if I cannot do anything about it. Again, I have not lied. But my emotional stage clears the picture.

Perhaps, ....I should have lied, than this answer would have been a lot shorter. ...... I think!!!. haha.

ooooooooh, I would be no doubt be liying blatantly.That is wicked and no excuse for it at all. I would only be lying to myself. Can i live with lying? No, one lie could lead to another, especially if one is absent minded or without a conscience.

Answer 2

Good question. I do that all the time and feel guilty, in a way it is - yes.Well here's an example i was hanging round with people who knew I hated a guy who did something to me a few months back I hated him with a passion and they knew.They then told me how he was a bad influence on them and how he had moved, a few days later I see them hanging around with him and this strongly contradicted what they had said about him. I dont hang around with them anymore, I see that as a lie as they kept me in the dark as they failed to mention that he still comes down to see them when they all knew that I did not like him.And I can honestly say that they did not feel guilty about keeping that important piece of information back from me.

Answer 3

Yes, it's called enabling. There is no difference between moral and legal crime.

What would happen if you witnessed a murder and saw the person who did it lying? It would be double trouble spiritually and good luck if the law finds out a secret was kept ...one would become burnt toast quickly.

What if you accepted being lied to ...do you think that person would come back for more? We aren't not to be wasting our lives zipping our mouths shut. If the person doesn't want to talk to you then you've done what you are suppose to do and that is that. The rest is up to them.

Answer 4

Depends on the circumstances. But I would say no. But it could be just as bad as lying if the keeping quiet is hurting someone. You should know what is morally right if you let your heart tell you on the circumstances.

Answer 5

No its not sometimes you have to keep quiet not to hurt someone, Lying is when you deliberately say a lie

Answer 6

No, keeping quiet is not saying anything, or refusing to say anything when asked. Lying is not telling the truth when asked, so you HAVE said something, and it`s a fib.

Answer 7

Keeping quite is keeping quiet not lying. But its not always the best, i'ld rather you keep quiet than lie to me

Answer 8

I don't think so.Keeping quiet sometimes is a very good thing - it can stem down tension,it can bring an end to conflict e.t.c.While lying can only cause war,destruction of ones image,lead to malice,broken down relationship......
In my opinon keeping quiet is a GIFT

Answer 9

There is a thingi called "White Lie" which means that you don;t say anything to potect rather than defy and it has no action against you.

Somethings are better left unsaid.

Answer 10

Yes, when it is incumbent upon you to reveal the informaton. If you withold information, leading the other person to assume something wrongly, it's determined a lie by omission.