By Chris K
Alright, let’s be real folks Most of us aren’t murderers or hardcore criminals, but let’s face it, we are all liars. It’s a rather uncomfortable truth. In the grand bazaar of daily interactions, lies are the cryptocurrency, We trade them more often than we’d care to admit and brush them under the carpet far more often than we’d acknowledge.
Why do we lie? It’s like asking why we breathe. The art of deception is as old as human history. It’s a thorny path we’ve walked since the dawn of time, or at least since we learned to talk. From little white lies that slip out as easily as butter from a hot knife, to the lies of convenience that help us navigate the often rocky terrain of social interactions – our reasons are as varied as the stars in the night sky.
Statistics shed some light on this inherent human nature. research suggests we’re prone to telling 10-15 lies per day. That’s a lot of noses growing, isn’t it? It’s like saying every day is April Fool’s, but nobody’s laughing. And the cherry on this somewhat dubious cake? Children start practicing this subtle art as early as two years old. They’re like tiny apprentice magicians, learning to pull rabbits, or in this case, fibs, out of hats. It seem as though telling lies are as natural as learning to walk or talk.
But not all lies are created equal. Take the virtuous lie, for instance. These are the fabrications we spin to protect someone’s feelings. These are the harmless, sometimes even kind-hearted, untruths. For example, telling Auntie Ida that her infamous meatpie is delicious, despite it tasting like seasoned cardboard. It’s like wrapping the truth in a soft blanket to cushion the blow. Or perhaps; “No, your new hairstyle looks great,” we say, as we mentally prepare for the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Then there are lies in romantic relationships. Yup! love, the great justifier of deceit. Sometimes, a lie in love is like a teaspoon of sugar to help the medicine go down easily. “I forgot to mention my ex called,” might just be a way to keep the peace on a serene Sunday afternoon.
In the maze of love, lies are the secret passageways that keep the walls from crumbling. Consider the couple who’s been together for ages; when one asks, “Do I still look the same as when we met?” a truthful “No” might be as welcome as a bull in a china shop. Instead, a loving “You look more beautiful than ever” can reignite the warmth of affection, keeping the flame of love burning bright. These aren’t just fibs; they’re the oil that keeps the engine of romance humming smoothly.
And what about familial lies of the in-laws? the eternal justifier of fibs. In the realm of relatives, a well-placed lie can be as necessary as the air we breath. “Of course, I love your mother,” might just save an evening from turning into a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy show
Then, there’s the “lie of convenience.” This is the Swiss Army Knife in our toolbox of deceit, handy for all occasions. “Sorry, I missed your call; my phone was on silent,” we say, while our phone was actually as loud as a rock concert.
Let’s be true to ourselves, as much are we always rank the truth as the number one virtue of life, honesty isn’t always a gift, is it? Sometimes, the truth is a harsh and unforgiving landscape, and a lie provides the much-needed oasis. But let’s not confuse lies with deception. A lie is often a solitary act – a momentary diversion from the truth. Deception, on the other hand, is the long con. It’s like painting a whole new reality, one brush stroke at a time. And that my friends it the killer of all social interactions!
Boardroom Bluffs: Where Business and Untruths Shake Hands, In the shark-infested waters of business, lies are the lifeboats that often keep companies afloat. Imagine a CEO reassuring stakeholders during a financial storm, “We’ve never been stronger,” despite the company ledger looking as sad as a rainy day. This strategic fib can buy time, maintain investor confidence, and perhaps even turn the tide. It’s not just a lie; it’s a chess move in the high-stakes game of business survival.
Workplace Whoppers: The Little Lies That Keep Us Sane, Our workplaces are gardens where little lies bloom like daisies. “Sorry, I’m late; traffic was a nightmare,” says the employee who overslept, using a fib as a shield against reprimand. These are the fibs that maintain peace, avoid conflict, and let us keep our heads down and get on with the job.
Religious Fibs: The Holy Lies, Even in the realms of faith, where truth is held sacred, lies find their sanctuary. A religious leader might simplify a complex doctrine, saying, “It’s God’s will,” to offer solace rather than a theological treatise. These lies, wrapped in the cloak of faith, can offer comfort, hope, and sometimes a pathway to deeper understanding.
In the realm of ethics, we stumble upon acts of commission (telling a lie) and acts of omission (withholding the truth). Both considered morally wrong, but one seems more disastrous than the other,
It’s like comparing stealing 100ghs from the cash register to failing to return that 100ghs that was sent to your mobile money account in error because it will require you to spend up to 5 minutes of your time with the customer services department.
Or perhaps choosing between stealing a cookie from the jar or simply pretending you didn’t see the cookie in the first place. Both examples have their rewards personally delivered by the devil to an address somewhere in hell or should we just say the wrong side of human ethics and morality?
In the intricate tapestry of human existence, the golden threads of truth and honesty still shines bright, essential to the fabric of our society. They are the cornerstones upon which trust is built, relationships flourish, and societies thrive. These virtues guide us like a lighthouse in a sea of uncertainty, offering clarity and direction. Yet, paradoxically, it’s our penchant for weaving tales, that closely matches the brilliance of truth. Our belief in untruths, myths and legends, from the jolly Santa Claus and the whimsical Tooth Fairy to the formidable Sango, the African god of vengeance, are what truly define our humanity.
From the courtroom’s hallowed halls to the sacred silence of a church, lies echo, each justified by circumstance and personal reasoning. The most stern-faced judge, smooth-talking lawyer, knowledge-thirsty teacher, or even the holiest priest may resort to an adulterated truth for reasons noble or necessary. It’s a dance of shadows, where each step, each lie, each veiled truth is choreographed by the situation and tailored for a desired outcome.
false encouragement through white lies
Is robbing the person of time and encouragement through constructive criticism
So the answer to a an overweight person who asks ” do I look fat in this dress?” should not he an outright no, but maybe ” most people won’t call you fat but the dress doesn’t suit your body type”
In the grand theatre of human interactions, our faces and bodies often betray us, performing their own little dramas independent of the script our words recite. Our true feelings can leak out in the form of facial expressions, an uneasy shuffle, or a posture as stiff as a board meeting gone wrong. Even as we attempt to construct the most convincing narratives with our words, these physical expressions can unravel our stories, revealing that what we say does not always dance to the same tune as what we feel. In this intricate ballet of expressions and declarations, one might wonder if our bodies are the more honest players on the stage, refusing to stick to the polished script of comforting lies that our tongues so artfully weave.
So, as we mere mortals meander through this economy of truth, lies are the currency we trade – not always out of malice, but often as a means to an end, a necessary evil in the complex web of human relationships.
It’s worth pondering our role in this economy of truth. We’re all traders, endlessly bartering in this market of untruths. Remember, in this market, the only thing more valuable than a rare truth is a well-crafted lie. we’re all part of this economy of truth. Sometimes rich, sometimes poor, but always trading.
