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Is honesty the best policy?

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Exile20

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So are you protecting the 2nd party?
Are you too cowardly?
Is your conscience getting to you?
Is it worth it even if the other party wouldn't find out?
 
I think honesty is generally the best policy but I'm sure there are situations where it might only do harm. I'd need more details about the kinds of situations you're thinking of, though.
 
Ok, I have no idea what's you're going on about in the OP, but no it's always the best policy. It depends on the situation.
 
Every situation is different. Sometimes there's the greater good argument that can override the honesty being the best policy. But I find that honesty is indeed often the best policy.
 
It really kind of depends. Sometimes honesty is only good for one thing -- getting you killed. But on the other hand, honesty can be the buffer between a utopia of free flowing ideas riveted by a strong undercurrent that bellies the enlightenment of several passions, and a murky police state dichotomy that serves only to inhibit the unhindered.
 
If married - play stupid. It's neither a yes or a no and therefore won't get you into trouble.

"Do I look fat in these?"
"Mmmm, sorry babes was just thinking about whether midgets have proper sized sex organs, what do you think?"

Boom - situation defused. She merely thinks of you as some weird deviant.
 
Human interaction is full of complexities. But when in doubt tell the truth. It may cause its own problems but at least you'll be able to live with yourself.
 
FrakkinFordy said:
If married - play stupid. It's neither a yes or a no and therefore won't get you into trouble.

"Do I look fat in these?"
"Mmmm, sorry babes was just thinking about whether midgets have proper sized sex organs, what do you think?"

Boom - situation defused. She merely thinks of you as some weird deviant.
Click to expand...

And promptly divorces you?
 
zeemumu said:
Fixed that for you.

Honesty usually is the best policy in most cases, because maintaining a lie is extremely draining. Basically it depends on how long you're willing to keep up the performance.
Click to expand...

Some people are just natural at lying, and rather keep lying for years than to tell the truth upfront even if it's something fixable.
 
slit said:
Oh yeah, are you always honest with the people around you? You must be one hated mofo.
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Honesty is not the same as 100% full disclosure about everything that is going on at every possible moment. It's not like I'm walking down the street and pointing at some dude saying "hey, that guy looks stupid!" even if I might think so.

Other than that, yes, I'm honest with my friends and people I know. I've lost some friends due to this policy, but I don't compromise on it. The truly good friends are the ones who stick around; the ones who are willing to honestly call me on my bullshit as much as I'm willing to honestly call them on theirs.
 
HappyBivouac said:
Honesty is not the same as 100% full disclosure about everything that is going on at every possible moment. It's not like I'm walking down the street and pointing at some dude saying "hey, that guy looks stupid!" even if I might think so.
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So if you're asked a question by someone you like/love and you know the true answer might hurt them, honesty always wins out in that situation?
 
zeemumu said:
Fixed that for you.

Honesty usually is the best policy in most cases, because maintaining a lie is extremely draining. Basically it depends on how long you're willing to keep up the performance.
Click to expand...

Being in the closet is exhausting. All day everyday you're wondering if anyone might be suspicious of how you look, walk, talk, etc. That's why I came out. I was just so tired of playing the role I thought everyone wanted me to.
 
People are so bad at lying. It's just easier to tell the truth, generally. If I don't want to disclose information I just say that I'm not revealing the answer.
 
slit said:
It's stupid in the long run if it's over something trivial.
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If it's something trivial, then it's their choice whether to make it a big deal. If they do, then they're being irrational and I'll do my best as a friend to try and help them get over it.
 
it depends.

I certainly don't give people my honest opinion all of the time. I will do it when I think the situation warrants it. By that I mean when I think that it will help avoid suffering in the long run.

Sometimes honesty just leads to suffering, with no prevention of suffering in the longer term.
 
I would be fired from every job I've ever had if I was honest.
I would ruin every relationship I've ever had.
I would have a criminal record if I was honest with the police.
I would be in solitary confinement if I was honest.
 
HappyBivouac said:
If it's something trivial, then it's their choice whether to make it a big deal. If they do, then they're being irrational and I'll do my best as a friend to try and help them get over it.
Click to expand...

What's trivial in the grand scheme of things and what's important to a person at a particular time does not always equal each other in the person's mind. That's human nature. All your honesty will get you is bitter resentment in that situation.
 
URjDaAQ.jpg
 
Yes. Truth shouldn't be to our benefit. Unless it means someone's death, or similarly horrible conditions, truth should reign. Dishonesty is exploitative.

Plus, you weren't the one who cheated OP. Don't let yourself be bullied into silence.
 
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