What is the worth of words spoken if not for the truth that comes with them?

Question

What are the situations that would compel you to say words that are untrue?

How easily do untrue words come to you?

Do you think that a frequent disregard for the truth in the words spoken by a person would lessen the person’s reliability?

A lot of questions, I know. I just feel so strongly about this. I know that some would lie out of necessity, but just how far should one carry it? Elaborate however you may, thanks.

Answer 1

A person can lie without speaking out loud.  If one is living a lie, that is, if one has accepted lies as the truth and lives according to them, that person lies all the time.  I do this.

Once my nephew, who was about four or five years old at the time, asked me why I lie all the time.

I think it's something that most people do to some degree.  Much too great a degree, for the most part, which is why the world is in the state it's in.  Most people hide who they really are, even from themselves, and that's living a lie.  In this society, it's out of control.  Our way of life is built on lies.

Is it out of necessity?  The person who does it thinks so.  It's originally done for reasons of self-preservation, survival.  And maintained far beyond necessity, out of bitterness and fear.

Answer 2

Words mean nothing without truth and as one poster Mr. Bodisattva says their integrity is lost as well.

There are times like when a person is ill and one does not want to burden one with truth that is bad news if one wants to give the impression of hope.

I like to think I do not speak untrue words at any time.  But when one is tired or one is careless with words and not thinking of the person listening sometimes and untruth word is spoken.  That is when they come easily for me.

At most times especially on the job and maitain credibility it is always wise to speak the truth no matter if it helps or hurts youo.  The truth will always protect you and the listener.

Answer 3

Dietrich Bonnhoeffer once said, "If a child's teacher asks 'Is it not true that your father came home drunk again last night and beat you?' The child's duty is not simply to lie, but to lie for all he's worth."  The worth and truth of words are as much to be measured by intention and outcome, as by the simple measures of true or false.  Untrue words do not come easy to me, but I am bound never to betray those in my care or confidence.  If that means I am unreliable, that may be held the least of my faults.

Answer 4

The worth of words spoken are the heart from which they come.

I suppose saving face may compel me to lie.

Fortunately, I'd say that I don't utter untrue words as easily as most.

A frequent disregard for the truth would definitely lessen the person's reliability.

I would advise that you practice a life style of honesty.  What is out of necessity, is a matter of opinion.  Maybe, to keep from hurting one's feelings, a lie is necessary sometimes.  I indicated that I would lie to save face.  But that is a weakness.  It probably would not be out of necessity.  It would be more advisable to be honest and you don't have to worry about being found out.  Some lie in looking for work.  Some lie at work.  That is succumbing to cultural pressures.  But in being honest, you gain a great deal of respect.  Because it truly puts you a cut above which is something I have been told.

Answer 5

Once a person gets caught lying, they no longer have any credibility. The sad thing is that some people don't seem to have a grasp of the concept of truth. You see bumper stickers with the word "Truth" on it. But all they are really talking about is some fairy tale which they believe to be true.

Answer 6

For the underlying purpose, whether it be truth or otherwise.