Is it better to lie in some situations in order to protect someone’s feelings or yourself? Would this hurt more in the end rather than just telling the truth in the first place?
It is better to tell the truth in the beginning rather than a lie that soothes.
A huge reason for this being that lies come from a place of dishonesty and betrayal while the truth comes from a place of honesty and care. If the person who you lied to found out that you have lied, they will most likely feel disrespected and insecure about your friendship/ relationship. But if said person finds out you were telling the truth from the beginning, this can lead to them feeling secure and happy in the friendship/ relationship. According to The California Aggie, “Sure, when you lie you don’t have to face an inconvenient truth. You are let off easier and it seems like no one gets hurt. The lie is enticing — it seduces us by offering us things the truth can’t. But just because someone can’t feel the pain you’re causing them doesn’t mean you’re not hurting them. It’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. And it always does.” Although the lie may temporarily solve your problems, what about the person who you are lying to? What happens to their problems when they are still being fed lies by those who are meant to look out for them? It is better to get it over with so that everyone can be happier in the end. Even if it ends with a disruption in the friendship at least you’ll end it knowing you did the right thing.
Many would disagree and say that it is better to tell a lie that soothes rather than the immediate truth. People believe that in certain situations it is not worth causing said person pain or even greater emotional distress. They believe that a lie with good intentions can provide more comfort and ease. But the truth is that all of the comfort and ease would be temporary. Once the person finds out that you lied there will be greater emotional distress after the lie is discovered. It will cause a recurrence in their pain even though it could have been one and done.
There are many ways that this can be fixed. Lying is a bigger issue amongst our society than you would think; it is a deep rooted issue that can be resolved. Fixing this issue can take time and hard work for some. If we just take the time for self-improvement, we can easily stop lying. Self-improvement can consist of growing our levels of sympathy, taking accountability and reflecting on actions.
Overall, in the end it is always better to tell the truth in the beginning. Lying is a form of corruption and ignorance even when there is good intentions behind it. We have to consider the long run and the feelings of those being lied to. It may provide moments of relief or bliss, but this bliss is only temporary. The truth is what will truly set you free in the long run.
