A little about lies.
I’m having some free time now (read: free time is defined as having a lot of works to do, but don’t feel like doing instead of being really unoccupied), I’ve been wondering if hiding the truth is considered lying. Say, you didn’t change the fact, but just choose to hide that little section instead of letting it be known — doing an intentional omission of information with no distortion of facts.
So some useless internal debates happened between my left and right brains but to no avail. In the end it’s me who still can’t decide whether it’s lying or not. Of course, why should I care about it? But I’m just curious and wanting to prove one side of my brains right I’ll have to find an answer.
Let’s seek enlightenment from some dictionary definitions of “lie”:
- To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
- To convey a false image or impression: Appearances often lie.
Now that I’ve attained nirvana, I’ll soon rise to the heavens. But before that, I’ll share my learning with you! It seems like (un)intentional omission of facts is indeed lying because it would mean you’re trying to convey a message that’s not completed which somehow means you’re presenting false information (albeit usually without the intention of deceiving) and chances are you’ll be conveying a false image or impression.
So boys and girls, stop the deceit by omitting information! That makes you a liar and honesty is the best policy anyhow.
What about white lies? Those lies with good intentions? I can’t debate this but it seems like anything that has a good intention can’t be that bad, can it? Personally, I’m Mr. White Lies because I tell a lot of white lies when applicable and I’m not going to state an example, so use at your own discretion.
General rule of thumb: As long as the lie won’t haunt me or make me feel guilty, I’m cool with the lie. But bear in mind I’m a man boy with deep moral values! So there, good luck with your lies!
And it makes sense to end this with my favourite quote: It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.