NationStates Jolt Archive

I think it's ok to tell a few porkies every now and again just as long as it doesn't go too far and nobody gets hurt, discuss



(poll coming)

Sometimes it's okay for people not to know the truth or the bent truth.

Tricky question. I try to stay away from lying, but I guess
their is need for a little lie now and then. Still honesty all
the way!

I think it's ok to tell a few porkies every now and again just as long as it doesn't go too far and nobody gets hurt, discuss



(poll coming)
How can one tell when a lie/half-truth won't go too far?

How can one tell when a lie/half-truth won't go too far?
you can't, if that happens then you just have to admit the truth

How can one tell when a lie/half-truth won't go too far?

If it doesn't hurt anybody. Like poll option says. Kinda.

YAY I am other

More so because I am torn
Personaly I want to know the truth ... about everything ... always
But I do find myself trying to shield others from the truth ... honestly usualy I dont lie at all but I do find myself having the tendancy to "withold" information

You know not telling that friend that another friend hates them that sort of thing

YAY I am other

More so because I am torn
Personaly I want to know the truth ... about everything ... always
But I do find myself trying to shield others from the truth ... honestly usualy I dont lie at all but I do find myself having the tendancy to "withold" information

You know not telling that friend that another friend hates them that sort of thing
there's always one :rolleyes:

The truth is always the best policy. The person you are lying to will eventually learn the truth and most likely learn the truth in a much more painful way than were you to tell them.

Other. I'm gonna be different.

Sometimes it's ok to tell a huge lie if it serves an important purpose. I would have no problem lying my ass off if it's to protect good people, get away with violating an unjust law, or in service of my country. However, if it's not for a damn good reason one shouldn't lie.

Other. I'm gonna be different.

Sometimes it's ok to tell a huge lie if it serves an important purpose. I would have no problem lying my ass off if it's to protect good people, get away with violating an unjust law, or in service of my country. However, if it's not for a damn good reason one shouldn't lie.
but who gets to decide if the reason is large enough?

but who gets to decide if the reason is large enough?
It's left up to the discression of the liar, and it's his responsibility to face the consequences after all is said and done.

I voted for the second option, but I'd need to be more specific. I really dislike lying, and I've worked out that's simply an aspect of the fact I strongly dislike hurting people in any way; it seems I automatically view lying as hurting people, if that makes any sense?

In any case, I always avoid lying as much as I can, except in those rare circumstances when telling the truth would mean I would actually be hurting someone. In which case, my urge not to hurt people overrides my urge not to lie, and allows me to tell a lie. It doesn't help me feel comfortable about it, though...

Besides, I'm a very bad liar. Lack of practice, no doubt.

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said."
-Abraham Lincoln, Republican.

Usually, it's less expedient in the short-term to tell the truth-but in the Long-Term, it takes up a lot of energy to keep a lie going, and you get into a lot more trouble.

I said yes, lying is bad, no matter what.
Any one can find a tactful way to tell the truth.
Usually lying is meant to protect yourself from the consequences of your actions.
I know that is not always the case, but usually.
I have been lied to by my husband for years... I hate lies.
If you do what is right, you have no need to lie.
If a friend is asking your opinion... you can carefully tell the truth.
It is always best in the long run. :)

I would say yes, but how would you know I ain't lying?

Sure you should be honest most of the time but, there are times you need to tell a little one once in a while so it's OK.

If you tell lies all of the time then you have a problem and you should seek professional help.

I have a friend who I'm very fond of, which is astonishing to me because we are so strikingly different in our philosophies/tastes/beliefs that I know that if I had to choose her based on the way she presents herself, rather than rely on the peculiarities of fate, we definitely would never be friends.

She speaks without thinking, and compared to me, I sometimes doubts she thinks at all - she's very impulse-directed, inasmuch as commenting on stimuli that she reacts to, while I would rather consider the entire context of the stimuli and analyse my reaction before I open my mouth. And yet her vibrancy, and her lack of self-consciousness in her communication is so breathtaking and energising that I can't imagine not knowing her.

In my communications with her, sometimes I find myself making those lies of ambiguity, where I agree with part, but not all, of what she said. Philosophically I am of the standpoint that honesty IS the best policy, and it is our obligation to each other to encourage understanding of the entire context, not merely focus on the superficial problems. Within that, however, I think it's paramount that we try and nurture each other into developing broader understanding. Sometimes honesty can be damaging when it is delivered in a brutally direct way, not only to the person, but in that person's receptiveness to alternative arguments. Those white lies can be a bridge to that person developing the courage to have their beliefs challenged while still retaining the understanding that they're a good person.

If honesty is a continuum, I hope I can be the X
___________________________________________X_____________________
100% Liar Lying for Tact Brutal Honesty

I think that honesty is almost always the best policy. Whenever I lie it always comes back to bite me in the arse.

Sometimes, you have to lie to keep things in order. So, I voted "Other".