Monday, September 3, 2012

Is it Ever Okay to Omit the Truth or Tell a Lie?


Is telling the truth always the best thing to do? Or are there times when one should keep the truth from them, even if it’s meant to help someone? Recently I had an incident where I told a friend, in a very direct manner, the truth about a situation and well, it didn’t go so well. It was meant to help this person to resolve a situation they were facing, but instead they ended up being upset with me for telling them. Which is why I ask the question, “Is telling the truth always the best thing to do?” even if it causes the person you are telling to get upset with you. People say the truth will set you free, but it seems to get me in trouble more often than not. I feel guilty and regret saying anything to this friend, even though it was meant to help.

Some say that to preserve a relationship it is necessary to omit certain facts or details and even on occasion lie. Others believe that telling the truth is the only way to go if you truly care about the person you are telling it to and can help determine the trueness of a friendship or relationship. And that one should never try to justify omitting or lying to a friend just because of not wanting to upset or anger them.

What do you think? Should you always tell a friend the truth or are there times when omitting certain details or lying is acceptable?

Until next time!

Joey McIntosh

“But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers it, for he knows that then he is doing good.” – Oscar Wilde

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