Why do we lie?

[Duck Sandwich]

Because some people don't mind their own damn business.
So you/ your parents don't have to put up with some guy on the phone trying to sell you/them some crap that you/they don't need.
Because she really does look fat in that dress.

 

[Empireth]

Humans are dicks.
We don't want anyone to see us in a bad light, ever.
We also don't want to get reprimanded for anything wrong that we do.
We start off as children telling little white lies.
Things progress.
We become more afraid for our egos than anything else, and what we say can't be trusted.

Lying came about long before the 21st century. In the Renaissance, people would say things they absolutely didn't mean. "Oh, darling, you look absolutely wonderful! That colour green is so... stunning on you!" Bullshit. That woman basically just dissed your entire existence and the way green looks on you. The sad thing is, that was the normal and expected way for noblemen (/noblewomen) to act during that time period.

Really, it's that simple. It can honestly be boiled down to "Humans are dicks". That one simple sentence actually answers so many questions we might have about the human race. It's also one of the best lessons to learn early on. Remember it well.

 

[jboking]

When we lie we usually do so for a few reasons:
A) Keep from hurting someones feelings.
B) Don't feel like explaining or justifying the real reason.
C) Were assholes or looking for attention.
D) To convince ourselves of something.

 

[Necrofudge]

The truth hurts!

 

[badgersprite]

Do you want the long answer or the short answer? Because the long answer is that lying is a survival instinct. Deception is a natural response in situations where it benefits us to fit in with a group (ie lying about why you didn't go to a party), where it keeps us out of trouble, or where it provides us with material gain.

Personally, I don't believe in lying, although I know I'm exceptionally good at it. In fact, that's essentially why I gave it up - because I found out first hand that it can be destructive, and it doesn't fix anything if you don't admit something went wrong. I just believe lying creates more problems than it solves and is disrespectful to myself and to other people, but I don't begrudge other people who choose to lie, because I can understand their motivation.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Fear of the consequences of telling the truth.

 

[Skuffyshootster]

Because it's fun to deceive people.

 

[Mozared]

Like said, because sometimes it's easier. If you never lie in any kind of relationship with any kind of person, you might find 1 or 2 friends in your entire lifetime. That said, those friends will be there for life and you'll be complete soulmates. The reason we lie is because nearly none of us can get along with everybody else without problems; just telling some small lies allows us to get along with much more people without really losing touch with ourselves.

That said, if you *do* manage to get into a relationship with somebody (be it amoral or copial) to which you never feel the need to tell any lies, then stick to that person like a wart plaster because (s)he is worth gold, and chances you'll never find someone similar again are big.

Long story short: it's you adapting to others to fit in better.

 

[Cavouku]

In general (sorry, too lazy and sugared with Halloween candy to read OP), probably fear, and convenience. I don't think there's ever a good reason to lie, no matter what someone concocts, unless it's done in humor or satire, or as obvious falsehoods that no one would believe (if we don't have sex right now, the world will end). Or lies that you can be assured won't work, fall into the category (mom, dad, I ASSURE you that she was tieing my shoelace).

If there's no consequence of genuine belief, go ahead, but if you are altering information for someone, usually that's not good. Well; say you had to tell a lie to save lives, that might fall under acceptable, but only if that was that and the threat wouldn't escalate.

 

[LilGherkin]

You know what forget what I said about my other post, somehow I'm going to get karmaticly bitten in the ass if I don't go up and tell him. I'm gonna go tell the truth. God help me.

 

[Woodsey]

Because when asked "What are you thinking about?" you can reply "How deeply love affects us all" instead of the truth: "What if I was James Bond?" or the even more likely answer of "Fuck all".

Uh, casual reference to...Ed Byrne I think?

Err... Is it?

 

[Murlin]

Because we've all had cake once...we tasted it...
need I say more?