Why do we lie?  It’s an age old question.  What compels people to steer away from honesty?  Where is the benefit?  I’m talking about white lies, fabrications, flat out deception, and even the omission or evasion of the truth.

“I lied for your own good.”  I’ve heard this excuse time and time again.  What does that even mean?  “It was to protect you.”  We may use the defense that lying is used to protect the feelings of others.  But who is making that judgment?  It’s the liars themselves.  Often, the only person you protect when you lie is yourself.  Sometimes we forget the potential for understanding within others.

What makes us believe that our own judgments are greater than those of the intended party; those receiving the lie.  We somehow denote ourselves prophets anticipating the outcome of news to the recipient.  How can one possibly predict the reactions of others?  We really can’t. The only person that knows how they can take news is the person receiving it.

Honestly, silence and the evasion of truth is the lie that cuts me deepest.  When someone hides the truth or ignores a problem who are they really sheltering?  Avoiding a situation until it goes away is not a valid approach.  Where was this tactic even picked up?  It’s not actually passive and it’s not a kind or innocent effort.  It’s more insulting to a recipient than anything.

Do you think what you have to say is more damaging than the silence from you?  What gives you the right to make that call?  Your silence is louder than words; your message much clearer.  Basically, in your censorship you’re attributing weakness and a lack of understanding of the intended. Give them the benefit of your own personal doubt.

Somewhere along the way we’ve convinced ourselves that’s it’s harder to tell the truth, that the lie is easier to hear.  Think about it; the effort it takes to form a lie and fabricate the story that goes with it.  Maintaining that story henceforth in its altered form requires constant awareness and effort.  We are often caught in our own lies.  Are we not creating more stress for ourselves and in the process damaging our reputation?

Don’t lie.  Don’t be silent and claim it’s to protect someone’s feelings.  It’s not your call. You’re making the the decision for someone.  Leave it to them to react how they will.  You will never truly know how they will until you do.  We assume how others will approach knowledge and react to secure our own personal benefit and gain.  Lying is selfish, pure and simple.

I put it to you, the reader, to challenge yourself.  Can you go an entire day without telling a single lie?  Attempt this and you may be surprised at the capacity of others to accept and embrace the truth as opposed to questioning a lie.