We are taught right from our childhoods that ‘honesty is the best policy’. And, most often, it is. But, life has a way of making exceptions to the best policies. That is why there are times when you should probably lie rather than tell the truth.
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1. Encouraging a Patient to Fight
This is perhaps one of the most obvious times when you should probably lie. If it is important that the patient should not get resigned and give up the fight for his or her life, it may become important to lie to them about their exact diagnosis.
2. Answering a Child’s Questions
Bringing up a child is not easy as children are intensely curious and have millions of questions about everything they see around them. However, there are many ugly aspects of life that there is no need for children to be exposed to when their minds are tender. It is best to lie about such ugliness when your child is young.
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3. Reassurance to Your Parents
Your parents have done the best they could to bring you up in the best possible way. They are also aware of their shortcomings and mistakes. But, there are times that they need your reassurance. These are one of the times when you should probably lie, let bygones be bygones and let them know that you think the world of them.
4. Keeping Friends Happy
You may not enjoy your friends’ hobbies yourself. If your friends have done something that makes them happy or proud and they ask for your opinion, it is best not to tell them that you couldn’t care less about their particular accomplishment. It’s best to lie and tell them you think they did great.
5. Maintaining a Relationship
Every relationship should be based on the foundation of truth, but small white lies are sometimes the best glue to keep it all together. If you would much rather not lie, it is best to be non-committal rather than speak the truth and break your partner’s heart.
6. At the Deathbed
This is definitely one of the times when you should probably lie instead of speaking the absolute truth if it brings peace to the person who is dying no matter what the query may be.
7. Dating Someone Online
When you are dating someone online, you don’t know them well enough to share all your personal information. If asked for any information that you do not feel comfortable in providing, it is best to lie in the interest of your own safety.
8. Make Somebody Feel Happy
If saying a small lie that doesn’t hurt anyone, but makes someone feel better instead, you should probably go ahead and lie. For instance, if someone is worried about their looks after an illness, there is no harm in telling them that they look great when you meet them.
As you can see, there are definitely times when you should probably lie, but it is important not to do it to forward your own interests or to hurt somebody else. It is ok to lie if it helps make life look better to those around you.
Top image source: thegoldenstripes.blogspot.in
Comments
tammy: It is never right to lie. Ever. Period.
Kristopher: I was watching the news last night and #7 came up. A man from the UK (fake) seduced this Canadian woman and long story short she sent him $4000 because he had a friend give her a check worth that much (fake). Super shady.
Kaarina: Great post, I agree 100%, there's a time and place for everything!
Shakti: Great post though I have different opinions in some cases. It is relative when to lie. For example if a kid is asking ugly truth and you serve it a fairy tale; is not safe always. Sometimes they ask sort of ugly , more realistic question when they are actually exposed to those threats. So let them know if something is going wrong but yes not in a rough way.
Melanie: Great blog and I do agree with most of these choices. 7. Dating someone online - I think you should just come out and tell them that you don't feel safe giving them your personal information. Don't lie and make up personal information. At least, that's what I think in my opinion. Also, in a relationship, truth would be the best. ~Melanie
sai: Still want to know the truth though no matter how hard it'll be
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