Depends on the person, situation, and lie. Generally I think the truth is better. But preferably it's a constructive truth
.
Going up to someone and, for example, telling them their baby is the ugliest gremlin you've ever seen isn't really helpful to anyone, regardless of whether you find it to be true or not.
Everyone lies to themselves. It’s human nature. In point of fact- a pleasant lie can save your life in a survival situation. Being aware of the details of a situation is crucial- but believing you will survive, can survive is almost as critical. The same is true in everyday life. Little lies are how we get through the day and reconcile our self image with reality- even if those are just “lies by omission” in what we choose to ignore. It’s how “decent” people live in a world full of suffering. It’s how we conduct our lives and enjoy our frivolities while others suffer without giving up caring or admitting we rank life in value, and some lives aren’t worth as much as our comfort to us.
Or perhaps that’s not entirely true either. Now I’m lying. You see- there is “truth” and there is fact. “Truth” to humans is subjective based on the facts we have available and how our life experiences etc. have us interpret those facts. Even at that some things we hold as fact are subjective. We simply don’t know “universal truth” and so our delusions aren’t always lies as much as they are simply the truth we have decided on because it suits us.
Your reality is based upon the facts you have available. If I don’t say: “I don’t like you...” you will decide wether I like you or not based on what you observe, feel, and want to believe. Often we are wrong in believing a person likes or dislikes us but it is in fact the opposite. If I tell you “I don’t like you...” then you know. You incorporate that into your reality. But wether I like you or not- if I tell you that I do, and you cannot tell that I do not- what is the change? What’s more- who is to say that I can’t start liking you? It’s ultimately true that facts are subject to change anyway- so the “truth” can change moment to moment.
Reply
deleted
· 5 years ago
“Hey dad why was mommy screaming last night”
“I murdered her cat”
I know it’s a low blow but I had to
.
Going up to someone and, for example, telling them their baby is the ugliest gremlin you've ever seen isn't really helpful to anyone, regardless of whether you find it to be true or not.
“I murdered her cat”
I know it’s a low blow but I had to