Should We Always Tell The Truth?
One of the most manipulated sentences about the truth is from the Gospel of John, (“you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”). Analyzing better the sense, reading all the phrase, even avoiding any religious meaning, its general meaning totally changes.
Regardless of this, the phrase has become a slogan that links a sense of freedom to the search for the truth. There are some exceptions to that freedom yet.
Whether the truth should be told or not is based on certain circumstances, as individuals cannot always tell and conceal the truth.
The truth might contain some bad information, which can hurt others' feelings. In these cases, telling the truth is harmful, it can trigger unexpected consequences and therefore, it must be considered cautiously before being told. There are many instances in life when we feel we have to lie. Finding the perfect harmony between kindness and the brutal truth, the wise, and even artful, the thing would be to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully and judiciously, because there is a notable difference between telling the truth and giving an honest opinion.
We can never see truth whole or outside of ourselves. Our perceptions are constrained to our individual thoughts, memories, and moods. What we perceive is filtered through our prejudices and desires and everything we’ve already experienced.
To make a practical example, sometimes the media seems not to tell the entire truth. There are always some element of truth in stories but they are looking to make profit. Then, often, they will prefer to use deception in order to make them sound more interesting, to persuade people and to reach the objective to sell more.
In general, truth-telling is much easier because keeping track of lies is complicated, as the Mark Twain quote goes, (“If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything”). Trustworthiness is the main factor for keeping a relationship between people to last long, avoiding delusions.
If people feel you trust them enough to share everything, they're often more willing to trust that you are right when you offer an honest opinion.
(cover from https://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/files/2012/07/lie0.jpg)
Founder at AdventuresInTrading.com
6 年Interesting article thanks for sharing.
Real Estate Investments for Private Equity Firms
9 年Fabio, Steven Covey has a great book called the Speed of Trust...part of its fundamental teaching is based on Trust and Credibility, which derives from Truth. After all, our civilization based its knowledge amd education out of what the Romans would call, VERITAS, whic came from the original search the Greeks began...which was, "What is Truth?"...So, my 2 cents worth, Truth is golden to any relationship, business venture, or ....basically life! ~Alex Sanders
Creative director at maisonrolaezzedine and strategy luxury consultant ,founder of Luxury of love.
10 年truth is essential to your conscience path ,nevertheless sometimes silence is important to hear more and understand better ,good article Fabio ,thank you very much for sharing it .respecfully regards
Chartered Civil Engineer at University of Split | Featured Contributor at BIZCATALYST 360°
10 年What to do when we want to point out the injustice? The truth then becomes too great a burden to wear. Those who courageously bring the truth to light are exposed to additional pressures. Whether tell the truth and deal with the consequences or keep quiet?
Executive | Professor | Investor
10 年Stupid articles that promote moral relativism like this give me all the more reason to unfollow. See you later Fabio...