Can you pause for a moment and imagine a world where everyone told the absolute truth—no filters, no sugarcoating, no white lies? That may be difficult but not entirely impossible. And it sounds refreshing, right? But what if your friend asked, “Do I look good in this?” and your honest answer was a hesitant “Umm…”? The truth, while powerful, isn’t always simple.
Lying is often seen as immoral, but psychology tells us it’s more complicated than that. Research from the American Psychological Association (APA) proposes that people tell an average of one to two lies daily, often to protect feelings or avoid conflict.
Some lies, like “You did great!” after a friend’s odd performance, are harmless. Others, like deception in relationships or business, can cause real harm.
After all, not all lies are poisonous; some lies are harmless. Before I add a much-needed thought from Philosopher Immanuel Kant to this discussion, I would like to tell you that if you like what you are reading here, you should turn to Gassner’s extraordinary book “Let Go: Rewire Your Subconscious Mind with Hypnosis and Cure Material Addiction — Real Life Stories.”
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Philosopher Immanuel Kant believed lying was never justifiable, while utilitarian thinkers argue that the morality of a lie depends on its consequences. So, where do we draw the line? Here are some points mentioned to draw the curtains to reality (truth):
Understanding the Shades of Truth
1. White Lies vs. Deception – A white lie spares feelings (“I love your cooking!”), while deception misleads for personal gain.
2. Lies of Omission – Sometimes, leaving out the truth is just as impactful as a direct lie.
3. Brutal Honesty vs. Constructive Truth – Being honest does not mean being cruel. “That wasn’t your best work, but I know you can improve!” is more effective than “That was awful.”
4. When Truth Hurts – Not all truths need to be spoken. Ask: Is it necessary? Is it helpful?
Truth is the absolute power. Well, it is not just me who is saying that. Mark Twain also said something similar. He once said, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” Honesty abridges life, but knowing when and how to tell the truth is an art.
Honesty is not about truth vs. lies—it is about understanding. Knowing when to be truthful, when to be thoughtful, and when silence is the better optimal. These slight modifications let us appropriately manage relationships with integrity.
So, the next time you’re met with a tricky truth, question yourself: Am I being genuine, or just being blunt?
