The Difference Between a Lie and a "Little White Lie"

There is no such thing a completely honest person, but there really is no such thing as a "little white lie." The truth of the matter is that there are only lies, and all of them are trying to cover up the truth no matter how you look at it. A lie is a lie, no matter how you look at it. It doesn't matter how big or small the lie is. Even if your intentions for lying are good, a lie is dishonest and deceitful. If you're not telling the whole and complete truth, you are telling a lie. The "little white lie" is harmless and usually told to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, fights, or conflicts. It's mainly used to spare someone's feelings.

It may be necessary or beneficial to tell a lie sometimes, but you might as well call a spade a spade. There are no levels or variations of lying, there are just lies. There may be different reasons for telling a lie, but a lie is a lie no matter how you try and slice it. If you lie to someone, chances are that you may get caught and it's likely that they may end up finding out the truth somehow. The question is, will the person forgive you because your intentions were good? Chances aren't really any different than if your intentions were bad.

If a person doesn't know the truth about the little white lie, it won't make any difference what type of lie you've told. People have the right to keep some things to themselves if they're trivial, but that's still no excuse to tell a so called white lie. A lie is normally selfish and told for personal gain. They're bigger than the little white lie, and it will make a difference if a person knows the truth. Honestly, everyone tells a lie every now and then.

There is no ethical or moral difference between a lie and a "little white lie." The term "little white lie" is simply used to pretty up the truth. It's used so that the person doesn't feel as bad for lying to someone. Many adults tell kids they're only telling a "little white lie" so that they don't think it's as bad and agree to go along with it. Whether it's a "little white lie" or a lie, it's being dishonest. I wouldn't care if a person told me a "little white lie" or a lie, I would still be very mad at them for having lied to me.