Little White Lies

[wewontdie11]

Many people lie seemingly unnecessarily in casual conversation and sometimes compulsively in spite of the fact that we are all taught from an early age that being dishonest is inherently bad and that "honesty is the best policy" etc. It's even in the 10 commandments that "thou shalt not bear false witness", but are there circumstances where it is OK to lie to somebody or should all lying be condemned?

I personally find it strange that parents have persistently lied to their children about Santa Clause and The Tooth Fairy among other mythical beings, for what must be more than 100 years, and nobody finds a problem with this. I understand the fantasy may be fun for the children for a while but when you finally realised it was Dad putting those presents under the tree for all these years did you not feel embarrassed of betrayed in a way, that that your parents maintained an elaborate charade and fooled you for years?

On the other hand lying can also be done to try and protect people's feelings, because we all know the truth can sometimes hurt, and maybe bending the facts might be best for everyone.

When or why do you think lying is right or wrong?

Also feel free to share some whoppers you've told before, that maybe you thought were for the greater good or that you're not particularly proud of.

(And before one of you says it lets try and stay away from certain confectionery related untruths please.)

 

[COR 2000]

Depends. If the truth makes things worse, then yes lie. If it's better for all, then spill the beans.

 

[Novajam]

It's a subject that runs deep. Basically I think a white lie is fine, especially if it stops someone's feeling being hurt. However, with any lie, you have to be ready if they find out the truth.

 

[jim_doki]

"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable."
No. Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.
"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?"
Yes. As practice. You have to start out learning to believe the little lies.
"So we can believe the big ones?"
Yes. Justice. Mercy. Duty. That sort of thing.
"They're not the same at all!"
Take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through with the finest sieve and then show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. And yet you act as if there were some sort of rightness in the universe by which it may be judged.
"Yes. But people have got to believe that or what's the point ? "
My point exactly.

Terry Pratchete, THe Hogfather

 

[Lt. Sera]

"Do these new pants make me look fat?"

Answer that truthfully one too many times

 

[Easykill]

I will lie if it's the easiest thing to do, normally. But I look down on people obfuscating the truth simply because they feel like it or to hurt someone else. That includes such things as childhood myths, although the time when I believed them is outside the scope of my memory.

 

[Zallest]

Little white lie? I'm secretly a woman.

I don't think i lie that often. I have no problem with laying down the cold hard truth to people even when they don't want to hear it.

 

[Devil's Due]

I dislike lying. I believe that the only time that's acceptable to lie is in dangerous situations. Like, when the police need to say some things to end a possible shootout or such that could end up in deaths and such. I wouldn't get too mad if someone did a small little lie to sneak out on something. But if they do something large to trick people for their own gain, then that annoys me a lot.

 

[ReepNeep]

Depends. If the truth makes things worse, then yes lie. If it's better for all, then spill the beans.

But worse for whom? You? Someone else? It all boils down to convenience and what benefits you. Is your integrity worth it?

"Do these new pants make me look fat?"

Answer that truthfully one too many times

The only way to win that game is not to play. :-/

 

[COR 2000]

Depends. If the truth makes things worse, then yes lie. If it's better for all, then spill the beans.

But worse for whom? You? Someone else? It all boils down to convenience. Is your integrity worth it?

Who knows, maybe worse for everyone. For example, a man and woman have been dating for 4 years. During the second year, the woman started seeing someone else. However the first guy Treated her like a human being, while Mr.McCheat treated her like this [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/thumb/b/b8/Trash_heap.jpg/300px-Trash_heap.jpg]. Around the third year, McCheat broke her heart and dumped her. Guy one still didn't know and therefore, went on with the woman as though nothing had happened. The woman truly fell in love with guy one and wanted to marry him. the only person who knew of her relations with McCheat was her cousin. If her cousin told the truth, then Guy one will call off the wedding, the woman will become depressed, and everythin will become worse. If the truth is kept secret, then Guy one will never find out and he and the woman will remain happy for the rest of their lives.

That's a situation that could ruin everyone's lives if the truth were revealed.

 

[Good morning blues]

Some lies are harmless, sure, but most of the time there's just no reason to lie. I always try not to.

 

[Combined]

...Santa does not exist?

Ahem. Anyway, lies are lies and you shouldn't lie.

 

[Amnestic]

...Santa does not exist?

Ahem. Anyway, lies are lies and you shouldn't lie.

Far too black and white for my liking. There's always shades of grey and sometimes a lie can be preferable to the truth.

"Everybody lies."-Gregory House. You may as well embrace the fact and get on with life.

 

[Duck Sandwich]

However the first guy Treated her like a human being, while Mr.McCheat treated her like this [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/thumb/b/b8/Trash_heap.jpg/300px-Trash_heap.jpg].

Damn, that picture's hilarious.

There are definitely some situations where you should always lie, an example being a call from a telemarketer, asking for Mr. or Mrs (*butchers your last name*). Replying that you/your parents aren't home results in a win/win situation. You/your parents don't have to waste time explaining that you're not interested in whatever crap they're selling, and the telemarketer can continue about his or her miserable, soul-destroying job.

 

[COR 2000]

However the first guy Treated her like a human being, while Mr.McCheat treated her like this [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/thumb/b/b8/Trash_heap.jpg/300px-Trash_heap.jpg].

Damn, that picture's hilarious.

There are definitely some situations where you should always lie, an example being a call from a telemarketer, asking for Mr. or Mrs (*butchers your last name*). Replying that you/your parents aren't home results in a win/win situation. You/your parents don't have to waste time explaining that you're not interested in whatever crap they're selling, and the telemarketer can continue about his or her miserable, soul-destroying job.

1.) Why thank you.
2.) Exactly.

 

[Cheesus333]

However the first guy Treated her like a human being, while Mr.McCheat treated her like this [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/thumb/b/b8/Trash_heap.jpg/300px-Trash_heap.jpg].

Damn, that picture's hilarious.

There are definitely some situations where you should always lie, an example being a call from a telemarketer, asking for Mr. or Mrs (*butchers your last name*). Replying that you/your parents aren't home results in a win/win situation. You/your parents don't have to waste time explaining that you're not interested in whatever crap they're selling, and the telemarketer can continue about his or her miserable, soul-destroying job.

Hahaha, I know your pain. My last name's McCoull - simple enough, you might think? It's pronounced merc-owl, but I've got stuff like merc-ool, merc-all - I think I've even had merc-wool before!

P.S: If you read McCoull as anything other then merc-owl, you've offcially earned a place on my list.

Yes... the list...

One day...

 

[Benicus]

"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable."
No. Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.
"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?"
Yes. As practice. You have to start out learning to believe the little lies.
"So we can believe the big ones?"
Yes. Justice. Mercy. Duty. That sort of thing.
"They're not the same at all!"
Take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through with the finest sieve and then show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. And yet you act as if there were some sort of rightness in the universe by which it may be judged.
"Yes. But people have got to believe that or what's the point ? "
My point exactly.

Terry Pratchete, THe Hogfather

Damn.. I was going to quote that

 

[TheBadass]

"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable."
No. Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.
"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?"
Yes. As practice. You have to start out learning to believe the little lies.
"So we can believe the big ones?"
Yes. Justice. Mercy. Duty. That sort of thing.
"They're not the same at all!"
Take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through with the finest sieve and then show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. And yet you act as if there were some sort of rightness in the universe by which it may be judged.
"Yes. But people have got to believe that or what's the point ? "
My point exactly.

Terry Pratchete, THe Hogfather

I love that book.

 

[ElephantGuts]

"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable."
No. Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.
"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?"
Yes. As practice. You have to start out learning to believe the little lies.
"So we can believe the big ones?"
Yes. Justice. Mercy. Duty. That sort of thing.
"They're not the same at all!"
Take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through with the finest sieve and then show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. And yet you act as if there were some sort of rightness in the universe by which it may be judged.
"Yes. But people have got to believe that or what's the point ? "
My point exactly.

Terry Pratchete, THe Hogfather

That was brilliant. I should read that book.

 

[Graustein]

"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable."
No. Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.
"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?"
Yes. As practice. You have to start out learning to believe the little lies.
"So we can believe the big ones?"
Yes. Justice. Mercy. Duty. That sort of thing.
"They're not the same at all!"
Take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through with the finest sieve and then show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. And yet you act as if there were some sort of rightness in the universe by which it may be judged.
"Yes. But people have got to believe that or what's the point ? "
My point exactly.

Terry Pratchete, THe Hogfather

I am yet to find a discussion that cannot be contributed to by quoting Pratchett.