friends help: Is lying under any circumstances okay? - Help.com

Is lying under any circumstances okay?

I’d like to know. Is lying alright if you’re trying to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or you want to keep something to yourself? Is is right to lie to your family and friends?
From little things like: does this look good on me? or from bigger things…
I want to know. I admit, I lie, do lie, have lied. I don’t think there’s anyone who really hasn’t. But is it okey? Is it right?
I don’t want to know about something like stealing and lying about it afterwards, more things that happen everyday. Disputes people have all the time. When you say things just to avoid more conflict.
Is that okay?

This open post was written 1 year, 9 months ago | V/U/S: 1,432, 42, 9 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post


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Since writing this post Masquerade may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. Masquerade is a verified member, has been around for 2 years and has 12 posts and 87 replies to their name.

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i love Tigger!!!!!!! offline Verified User (1 year, 10 months) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (0 minutes after post)

nope

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Sir Urgdu offline Verified User (1 year, 10 months) Long Term User Shouts: 4 #
Evanston, IL, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (3 minutes after post)

Never lie- Say what you mean and mean what you say, and you’ll stay true to yourself

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Starlight offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
Halifax, NS, CA | 1 year, 9 months ago (3 minutes after post)

If one can’t be trusted with little things, they can’t be trusted with bigger things. I blelieve that it is best to try to not lie at all.

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Masquerade offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (7 minutes after post)

But what if it was to avoid something worse than lying?

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Starlight offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
Halifax, NS, CA | 1 year, 9 months ago (8 minutes after post)

like what?

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christian_since1 offline Verified User (1 year, 9 months) Long Term User Shouts: 5 #
Lebanon, TN, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (8 minutes after post)

If someone is trying to kill me and I’m hiding in your house you better lie for me!!lol

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Just Lyza offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (12 minutes after post)

i think it is…if we didn’t lie about some things..everone would get pissed off at us if it’s not what they want to hear..and life would probably go to hell…lol

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Nine is alive offline Verified User (2 years, 6 months) Long Term User Shouts: 2 #
CA | 1 year, 9 months ago (12 minutes after post)

There is always a way around it. Trust me on this.

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Just Lyza offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (13 minutes after post)

whhoooa, she talked!!!!!!!
Is this a good or bad thing??
=]

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Sir Urgdu offline Verified User (1 year, 10 months) Long Term User Shouts: 4 #
Evanston, IL, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (13 minutes after post)

I tell the truth till my death, even if it brings it.

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Snar offline Verified User (2 years, 2 months) Long Term User Shouts: 25 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (16 minutes after post)

I don’t believe for one second that you can live your life without a lie, maybe someone out there has, maybe someone will say they have… I cant proove them wrong, but certainly most people will have to lie to spare someones feelings, to save someone from grief…. for inumerable reasons, in their lifetime. Idealism is one thing, but it doesnt always work out in the real world. If my friend asks me if hes lost weighgt and he is fat and the same, but hes been workin to lose weight, i will lie and say hes looking better. That will motivate him to keep going. If you can tell me to regret that, I’d like to see you justify yourself.

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dumbie offline Verified User (2 years, 1 month) Long Term User Shouts: 6 #
US | 1 year, 9 months ago (17 minutes after post)

I think a degree of lying is okay. I mean, it’s hard to draw the line where it’s okay, and not okay. I believe it’s okay to lie about the small “how do I look?” kind of things.

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Snar offline Verified User (2 years, 2 months) Long Term User Shouts: 25 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (25 minutes after post)

So if im ugly, you’ll tell me i’m ugly if I ask you?

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Snar offline Verified User (2 years, 2 months) Long Term User Shouts: 25 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (30 minutes after post)

And your going to tell me I suppose that you’ve done this? in real life?

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Sir Urgdu offline Verified User (1 year, 10 months) Long Term User Shouts: 4 #
Evanston, IL, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (33 minutes after post)

If you ask for my opinion, i give an honest one, it may hurt you, but it will not hurt me.

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christian_since1 offline Verified User (1 year, 9 months) Long Term User Shouts: 5 #
Lebanon, TN, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (36 minutes after post)

nikkistella,
thats your dad what about your best friend. For me that would be hard to do. Could you just have said dad I miss your hair but I love you anyway? Would that have been a lie? It would have been nicer to your dad.

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christian_since1 offline Verified User (1 year, 9 months) Long Term User Shouts: 5 #
Lebanon, TN, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (40 minutes after post)

your welcome Aren’t Dads great!!

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Felicity offline Verified User (1 year, 11 months) Long Term User Shouts: 18 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (42 minutes after post)

Its all about motives, the why ,the purpose. If its to save yourself so you wont get in trouble, Its wrong. because its wrong to NOT take responsibility for your own action.That is wrong because it places the blame the innocent.I dont think you will have a problem with this.You generally know right from wrong.It’s ts called Discernment,A Great Quality,gift to have.it has something to do with integrity.I just cant find the words right now.If you need help in understanding this,you can go to the dictionary or ask someone.Sorry,Im really tired.All the other I said is True.

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Just Lyza offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (45 minutes after post)

no, dad’s are not great.
Some are, but not all of them.
Some suck.
=]

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christian_since1 offline Verified User (1 year, 9 months) Long Term User Shouts: 5 #
Lebanon, TN, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (47 minutes after post)

I am sorry Lyza.

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Just Lyza offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (47 minutes after post)

haha, why are you sorry?

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christian_since1 offline Verified User (1 year, 9 months) Long Term User Shouts: 5 #
Lebanon, TN, US | 1 year, 9 months ago (53 minutes after post)

I wish you had a great dad

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Just Lyza offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (55 minutes after post)

haha, thanks me too…
I had two tries at it though..guess the odds just weren’t in my favor..but what are you gonna do right…?
=]

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Felicity offline Verified User (1 year, 11 months) Long Term User Shouts: 18 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (56 minutes after post)

Healthy attitude Lyza.Good 4 u :)

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Just Lyza offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (58 minutes after post)

thanks…lol
sulking all the time doesn’t change anything in life…
though sometimes necessary..i suppose I’ve already done my share.
=]

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Felicity offline Verified User (1 year, 11 months) Long Term User Shouts: 18 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (3 hours, 20 minutes after post)

The yin and the yang.All about balance :)

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Masquerade offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Undisclosed Location | 1 year, 9 months ago (1 day, 19 hours after post)

If I’d lose a friend if I didn’t lie, then I think I have a right to lie to them…If my friends asked me if I thought they were ugly (saying I thought they were) I would never tell them. I wouldn’t want to here that from them. I’d like support.
When people ask those things, I think that’s what they’re really looking for- support. I don’t ever want to shoot down a friend. Is that so wrong?

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hero_falle offline Unverified User #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 1 month ago (8 months after post)

motives are the essential ingredients….motives are everything….pride,fear,justification…..it’s all about the motive of something here….that’s why we’re all replying….we all have our own motives in the subject of lying…everything comes full circle my dear people…it doesnt really matter what will happen….it’s whether or not the person will focus on the consequences of it….like say….someone isn’t sure of another’s love for them….for whatever reason, be it stupid or logical,they CAN lie or they CAN be direct…..the lying person could tell their loved one “i’ve slept with your best friend…i’m sorry…will you forgive me?” or they can say “I’m having my doubts on your love for me…please inform me of the actuality of this?” the liar will judge based on whether or not they can be forgiven…..that is their basis of love….whether or not their partner can deal with something unfaithful like that…..-then again….this can keep going and going….so many scenarios….

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janicetan_fair offline Unverified User #
An Unknown Location | 2 months, 3 weeks ago (1 year, 6 months after post)

Nope, it’s not okay even though you’re doing it for a good cause. It’s better to tell the truth, but sometimes if the truth really hurts, just try not to say anything at all. Or even if the truth hurts, you can add some positive truth to it. For example, if your mum asks you if her cooking is delicious. However, you think it’s really horrible, but you don’t want to hurt her feelings.
1. Don’t tell her it’s delicious, it’s lying.
2. You can say, “I think it needs a little improvement, don’t worry, I’ll help you improve with it,” And of course, give your mum a little gentle feedback. It’s never good to lie.

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rnjeremy offline Verified User (2 weeks, 4 days) Shouts: 0 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (1 year, 8 months after post)

If a person asks you for help and you can’t/don’t want to, it is OK to lie instead of hurting their feelings. All you do is keep making up excuses and eventually the person will give up. You may lose a friend in the process, but it is OK. You did not hurt the person’s feelins which is what you’ve set out to do. Plus god will forgive you even if the person doesnt.

Or so I’ve been told when I’ve been lied to all the time

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