The Lesson of Honesty

When we were young we were always taught the fundamental lesson of being honest in our lives. As we grow up we realize that being honest all the time gets very difficult at many situations. There are times when we are bound to lie. At such points we are forced to ask ourselves is it important to be honest all the time? The saying goes 'Honesty is the best policy'. But does a little white lie demean our values and beliefs? By saying this I do not profess that it's ok to lie, but a little white lie once in a while may actually be a healthy practice especially when it comes to managing interpersonal relationships. The foundations of our relationships depend on the trust of those who are most dear and close to our hearts. But there are times when we lie to maintain the integrity of such significant relationships.

Let me put you in a few very common situation and you take your choice of being honest or not. Your best friend has got a horrifying haircut done. Telling her the truth will shatter her confidence while a little lie "I like your new peculiar haircut" will rather built it up.

Or let us say your little daughter has made a birthday card all by herself which is more than untidy and you are not even able to understand what she has made. What will you choose to do? Being brutally honest can be a toxic weapon at times. We are not bound to tell the whole truth if it hurts someone's feelings.

As a child we all loved the lies our mothers told us about the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. What truth can be better than telling a lie to protect a child's innocence or creative imagination?

The flaw of lying comes where one uses it to protect oneself. That is where it is called the hard core or a true lie. And that is the one which we are taught to avoid when they say don't lie. The lie that is used to protect someone else is harmless and pure as any truth. Relationships are complex and to deal with them get tricky at times. Sometimes a thoughtful and harmless lie that is pleasant to hear is just what the doctor ordered.

Have you not lied so many times to your spouse to avoid dicey situation? It's important to be honest with your partner but a little fib to avoid a huge argument is acceptable to me. There is no point in triggering an argument just to advocate truthfulness. Unnecessary arguments can only increase bitterness in relationship.

The only relation according to me that you can be completely honest in is that of friendship. A friend is not a friend if they don't understand the truth however brutal or bitter it may be. However people manage to lie in friendships too. The reason behind this could be the fact that at times it is very difficult to handle too many expectations or to manage conflicting schedules. To prevent an avoidable argument can also force one to lie.

Agreed, it is essential to be honest. I have started positive efforts in the direction of being honest in spite of the rough beginning where in the process I have hurt a few people. Let me leave the judgment on you. Lie if you feel it might save an ugly situation or go ahead and be brutally truthful!!