# Should we ALWAYS tell the truth? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 18, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424 "2005-05-18T16:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/1 "2005-05-18T16:08:31Z")
Is honesty the **best** policy? Is there any praticle or even percieved purpose to always be honest and truthful? Are there exceptions to the rules? ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/2 "2005-05-18T16:10:44Z")
All rules have exceptions. Including this one. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/3 "2005-05-18T17:22:39Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > All rules have exceptions. Including this one. such as? Can you give an example. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/4 "2005-05-18T17:27:44Z")
Truth has no inherent value in itself. The truth, _by itself_ never made anyone a bit happier. Therefore, as with everything else, examine the consequences of telling the truth versus lying before you decide which you do. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/5 "2005-05-18T17:30:43Z")
To answer the classic example, yes, if the Nazis come to your door, you should indeed lie about the Jewish family in your basement. There’s also the case of ‘polite fictions,’ such as when the truth would do nobody any good and would only hurt (‘Isn’t she a beautiful bride?’ ‘Actually, no’). ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/6 "2005-05-18T17:38:30Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > such as? Can you give an example. I did, and offered it as a demonstration of how silly absolute thinking is. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/7 "2005-05-18T17:41:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Should we ALWAYS tell the truth? No. Duh. Are you asking if honesty is a universal good? Answer is still no, but it’s at least a viable discussion. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/8 "2005-05-18T17:53:03Z")
When my wife asks “Do these pants make my ass look big” I am sure as heck gonna lie. Good for her,good for me. We both win. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/9 "2005-05-18T17:54:17Z")
You should tell the truth unless telling a lie is better. Such as “Does this dress make my butt look big?” should NEVER be answered with “It isn’t the dress, it’s your butt” even though it might be true. Where the truth would hurt someone’s feelings or do no particular good, there isn’t any reason not to lie. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/10 "2005-05-18T17:59:57Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > I did, and offered it as a demonstration of how silly absolute thinking is. ah so inscrutable one. We both offered cliche’s but my cliche was not the just of my question. So let this be my refinement of the OP I believe there is value in always being truthful. Personal growth and by effect improvement in our culture. The things we percieve as a positive result from being dishonest are in reality only a temporary respite. Like doctors relieveing the symptoms without cureing the disease. I propose that there is no way for mankind to progress morally without a commitment to truthfulness. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/11 "2005-05-18T18:02:21Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > such as? Can you give an example. I will. Customers. Just about every customer I ever deal with in my position does not want to hear the truth, they want to hear what they want to hear. The one thing I have learned from our sales force is that its a hundred times easier to make a sale promising something in 4 days and deliver in 5 than promising 6 and delivering in 5. By the same token our sales force does not want to hear that there is a problem with deliveries like Warehouse … “uh, we have 5 trucks, you scheduled 6 truckloads of deliveries, we told you friday was maxed out already.” Salesperson: [blank stare] “but the last one is an emergency” Warehouse: oh ok I understand…which non emergency delivery would you like to delay to deliver that emergency. Salesperson: none of them can be delayed Warehouse: oh…I see…no problem Warehouse to salesperson 2pm delivery day… “please contact customer X and let them know that their truck broke down and we cant deliver unless we can deliver after 6pm” Was there a breakdown, no. Does the sales person know that, no. Does the sales person really care, no. They just want to dodge responsibility for overbooking and overpromising while not turning down a sale. What is sad is that the salesperson (in a more functional work environment it probably does happen) could have just as easily handled this whole thing themselves rather than demanding we create the crisis for them. They can make notes, have their task manager software remind them to call and BS customer X at the appropriate time just like any of the other myriad calls they make dealing with customer issues every day. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/12 "2005-05-18T18:03:17Z")
So you think that when watching a young child cry over their parents grave it is morally appropriate for you to point out that their parents were jerks and deserved to die. (If you felt that was the truth) ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/13 "2005-05-18T18:04:37Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > So you think that when watching a young child cry over their parents grave it is morally appropriate for you to point out that their parents were jerks and deserved to die. (If you felt that was the truth) Meant as reply to Cosmosdan… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/14 "2005-05-18T18:04:49Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Truth has no inherent value in itself. The truth, _by itself_ never made anyone a bit happier. Therefore, as with everything else, examine the consequences of telling the truth versus lying before you decide which you do. I don’t agree. How do you measure value? I maintain that the truth in the long term has plenty of value and leads to a more lasting permanent joy, rather than temporary satisfaction. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/15 "2005-05-18T18:08:40Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > You should tell the truth unless telling a lie is better. Such as “Does this dress make my butt look big?” should NEVER be answered with “It isn’t the dress, it’s your butt” even though it might be true. Where the truth would hurt someone’s feelings or do no particular good, there isn’t any reason not to lie. Yes but a smart and honest answer would be “No honey” just leave out the “it’s not the dress” Thats still truthful but not suicidal. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/16 "2005-05-18T18:14:49Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > So you think that when watching a young child cry over their parents grave it is morally appropriate for you to point out that their parents were jerks and deserved to die. (If you felt that was the truth) As my big brother points out. “Freedom of Speech is a right not an obligation” Being 100% truthful doesn’t mean we lose compassion, or sensitivity. We can use wisdom and tact in the how and when we deliver the truth. Often we insert something that isn’t true because we haven’t figured out how to do that. Another point. Don’t mistake your personal opinion for the truth. {happens all the time} Thats part of the wisdom thing. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/17 "2005-05-18T18:22:04Z")
Eh, too many people (my brother is one) use their “refusal to be dishonest” rule as an excuse to be rude. This is one of my biggest pet peeves and now that I’ve gotten it off my chest, I’m gonna bow out now 'cause I don’t wanna get banned for being non-responsive in GD. And that’s the honest truth! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/18 "2005-05-18T18:23:19Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > I will. Customers > . I know all about it. Worked in retail for years, Circuit City and Sears. It was a real challenge and test as a commisisoned salesperson to see how to communicate honestly and still make a living. I feel the same frustration you talk about when you tell someone the truth and respond like you just shot their beloved pet. Not all customers are like that. We can’t control their impatience or the fact that humans make mistakes. I know it’s fairly standard practice to use the lie shortcut. I just don’t think it’s nessecary or even good for business in the long run. In General people assume that salespeople lie because of those very practices. Is that benifiacial to have certain occupations labeled as liars? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/19 "2005-05-18T18:29:44Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Eh, too many people (my brother is one) use their “refusal to be dishonest” rule as an excuse to be rude. This is one of my biggest pet peeves and now that I’ve gotten it off my chest, I’m gonna bow out now 'cause I don’t wanna get banned for being non-responsive in GD. > > And that’s the honest truth! > > 😉 I agree John. Again, opinion is not the same as truth. Truth telling isn’t an excuse for insensitivity. A dear friend of mine at work decided to dye his grey hair brown. I didn’t think it was nessecary but I kept my mouth shut. If he had asked me my response would have been “I think you’re awesome no matter what color your hair is” which is the truth ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424/20 "2005-05-18T18:43:43Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > To answer the classic example, yes, if the Nazis come to your door, you should indeed lie about the Jewish family in your basement. > > There’s also the case of ‘polite fictions,’ such as when the truth would do nobody any good and would only hurt (‘Isn’t she a beautiful bride?’ ‘Actually, no’). This thread sprang from a discussion of that very example [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6170390&postcount=201) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-always-tell-the-truth/304424.md?page=2)