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When we first start learning, I mean really learning, not school stuff, we are told to always tell the truth. Truth is one of those things that has been put on a pedestal by our family, friends, and other authority figures. And why is it there? We're told to tell the truth, but through our daily lives, the truth consistently hurts us. Not in real, physical ways, but in emotional and mental pain.
The second thing we're taught when we're first learning is that we should treat others the way we would like to be treated. The so called "Golden Rule" that hails back to early Confucianism and other Eastern religions. It seems a completely straightforward at first. Just a small thought on how would you like to be treated in a situation, but when the truth gets involved, things can go haywire.
Think about it. Your friends know your significant other is cheating on you. What should they do? Tell you? In an ideal world they would, but the fact of the matter is that there are other factors involved here. Maybe you just got engaged and they don't want to ruin your happiness. Maybe you just bought a house, or a dog, or had a child together. In a lot of situations, the truth only makes things worse before it gets better. It may never get better and that's where the golden rule jumps in and says, "WAIT! How would you like to be treated here?" Most of us would want to remain happy in our ignorance, but cannot overlook the misery of knowing that someone has violated our trust.
What would you do? Friends are supposed to look out for friends, but which option is looking out for them? The abject misery from the violation of their trust, or ignorant happiness, knowing that eventually it may be shattered?
There are also the smaller, whiter lies. "Oh! That dress looks marvelous on you," to a friend who has self-confidence issues. "Don't worry, the bills are fine," to overly worried children whom have heard mommy and daddy talking.
Should we always tell the truth?
The second thing we're taught when we're first learning is that we should treat others the way we would like to be treated. The so called "Golden Rule" that hails back to early Confucianism and other Eastern religions. It seems a completely straightforward at first. Just a small thought on how would you like to be treated in a situation, but when the truth gets involved, things can go haywire.
Think about it. Your friends know your significant other is cheating on you. What should they do? Tell you? In an ideal world they would, but the fact of the matter is that there are other factors involved here. Maybe you just got engaged and they don't want to ruin your happiness. Maybe you just bought a house, or a dog, or had a child together. In a lot of situations, the truth only makes things worse before it gets better. It may never get better and that's where the golden rule jumps in and says, "WAIT! How would you like to be treated here?" Most of us would want to remain happy in our ignorance, but cannot overlook the misery of knowing that someone has violated our trust.
What would you do? Friends are supposed to look out for friends, but which option is looking out for them? The abject misery from the violation of their trust, or ignorant happiness, knowing that eventually it may be shattered?
There are also the smaller, whiter lies. "Oh! That dress looks marvelous on you," to a friend who has self-confidence issues. "Don't worry, the bills are fine," to overly worried children whom have heard mommy and daddy talking.
Should we always tell the truth?
