Recently working with one of my students on her summarised
version of a literature novel, I came across this argument; “is lying wrong?”
Coincidentally, this had to do with the characters who either die with the truth
out or live on with the lies. But do we face such situations in our
non-fictional lives? Surely not… or am I wrong?
Every day we live through our daily lives lying in and out.
A bucket fundraiser passes us, we are too lazy to go into our bags, purses or
pockets for a little change so we say “sorry! no change” and move along onto the
next lie.
Next, those with partners who unknowingly (or knowingly)
flirt with others verbally or even physically then when asked “sweetheart, are
you sincere to me”, and the automatic responses follows and this is where we
helplessly use “white” lie to help us out. Is that considered as a “white” lie?
There are far more issues that we lie about-sometimes just to fit
in for example “I was out all night, you know living it up” (reality, you were in
bed; big, loose and comfy pyjamas, hot drinks, a soppy movie that pretty much
sums it up) but are these truly serious lies? “I’m sure others lie much worse
than I do” that’s what you are perhaps thinking, - I mean I do too- or
“everyone does it so what?” However that “white lie” does not need to be used
at all if the wrong/damage weren’t done in the first place. Why should you be
embarrassed of your soppy movies and pyjamas nights? – I love them; they are
cool in fact the coolest!
Every time I’m about
to make use of “white” lie, I think of the reasons and it is ALWAYS because I’ve
messed up somewhere along and now I’m not courageous enough, I’m not brave
enough or I’m not strong to face the consequences consequently I pick the easy
way and lie my way out like digging myself out of a hole, which results in
creating a much deeper hole (obviously), and later use “white” lie to justify.
Again back to the main question “is lying wrong?” I believe
it is an easy way out for the cowards, other may disagree but “honestly” answer
this question, I’m sure the response is already there and we all know what it
is. I live in a modern society where the most outrageous, despicable and
dreadful crimes is punished by only 25 years (life sentence)in prison- not death!-
so what is the worst that can happen to you if you opt for the truth? Therefore
I’m sure most of the times these little “white” lies could be evadible by
simply mustering the courage to bear the consequences and tell the truth!
