How honest are you willing to be?

Question

Do you have the courage and strength to wield the sword of truth?

Are white lies really that 'white'? If you use a white lie aren't you just delaying pain instead of preventing it - and in the delay doesn't it fester and grow?

I'm not suggesting that being honest and knowing everything is the same thing. Its a motive more than an achievement.

You can be direct and honest, yet still curteous can't you?

I think that so called 'white lies' are more an indication of arrogance because the premise is that you know better than the other person what is good for them.

Zingis - I'm suggesting that every occasion requires honesty. Yes the truth hurts sometimes and sometimes its embarrassing or awkward but just how do you know when a lie is appropriate? What do you base that on? How do you know what others are thinking and what their past experiences are?

From my experience lies, all lies, hurt far more than the truth. I don't want to hurt anyone and while yes it sometimes happens, at the end of the day I can have the comfort of knowing that I didn't do it on purpose.

Be careful where you are spinning your lies...

... but point taken, I'll try not to cut anyone too badly.

The truth doesn't hurt nealy as much as lies do.

Answer 1

I do not know which country you are from.But if you really want a serious answer for your question,I suggest the Indian motto-"Satyameva jayate" meaning "Truth always wins." Whatever difficulty you face in life,you should always follow the path of truth,because it will ultimately lead you to victory.
Sometimes people might argue that it is not wrong to tell lies for a good cause or during an extremely compelling situation.But as you have mentioned it will only cause more trouble in some way or the other than you ever anticipated.Once you tell a lie you will have to tell a hundred more to conceal the first one.And that will only make your heart heavier and your conscience more guilty.So it is always best to stick to the path of Truth and live a guilt-free life.I also suggest you read books on Gandhiji and Buddha etc.

Answer 2

As honest as the occassion requires. But I always try to remember just 'why' am I being honest. If it is just to assuage my own guilt but in doing so will only cause pain to another, then isn't it extremely selfish to do so?

Any pain over misdeeds I've done or ill feelings I've harboured can be handled by a priest or a therapist just as well.

So, just be careful 'where' you're swinging that sword.

Peace

Edit: sorry, but I don't spin lies... the main question was 'how honest....', you recognise there are degrees of honesty.
Would I tell a friend who I truly believe is horribly obese and smelled bad"you're horribly obese and smelly"? I would carefully couch my terms and encourage them to take care of their outsides in addition to their insides.

And further you seem to assume all lies eventually come out. If I am a businessman, go half a world away for six months of my life and have one sexual indiscretion that my mate will never likely find out about, why would I tear my marriage apart by a misplaced 'honesty' impulse? I would rather reform my ways, and learn from my mistake than cause pain to my spouse unnecessarily.

The world is not all black and white, unfortunately.
I've been overly honest in the past and know its pitfalls.

Peace

Answer 3

Lies don't tend to be found too much later if ever, so festering is unlikely
Your truth isn't the only one so anything but what appears a glaringly obvious lie to the person is ok. This means white lies are fine because you're just saying what they expect

By the way, yes, i am a massive coward and look for the least hassle in life

Answer 4

I try to be as honest as I can. To live in lies is a bad way to live...........in the end you cheat yourself out of life you really do............. In telling the truth I try not to hurt people and tell them in a round about way but best believe I will let them know especially if they are hurting and ask for my help and also when I see another being taken advantage of in relationships or worth Ethics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I try to to sweep anything other the carpet in the end the dirt always come out one way or another...............Its not always to live in truth but it sure beats living in lies :)))

Answer 5

It depends.
If someone was ugly, don't say "you're ugly"
There's no way they can change this so it would be just hurting the person.
But if for some reason someone comes up to you and asks you for serious advice on some things they are willing to change, don't tell themwhat they want to hear just because it may spare their feelings, if its a serious matter you are obligated to tell them the best you can come up with because they came to you for advice.

Answer 6

I am willing to be perfectly honest where it counts. Every time. I am not willing to tell Gladys her baby looks like a rhesus monkey when she asks me if i think he's beautiful. I'm going to say' "Yes" here.

Please refer to my answer to 'Ask Mike's' question about how long one can go without lying. More comprehensive there. I'm busy writing some Canadian guy right now.

Answer 7

well, lies are lies... it doesnt matter what is your reason for lying... it could be greed for money or it could be greed for somene's smile, or your need for someone to like you, even though once you lie, it's not the real you they like but the one in the lie...
so we lie because we're afraid of something, and usually fear feeds on itself and makes things worse and the lie has consequences. if we dont care about the consequences... then why not lie?

Answer 8

I usually don't tell big lies that get me in a fix. And white lies are everything that you say they are. Kudos to that

Answer 9

Usually I'm extremely honest...Especially with the people surrounding me

Answer 10

To whom do I reveal my truth but to God alone and for whom my trust wills to grow in, for it is God who will know best not to place my trust in an others hand .