Should you always tell the truth, even if it makes things awkward?

[debm55]

[Aviation Pro]

1. Yes, always.

Look at it as an investment against having to explain yourself later.

[debm55]

2. Thank you very much, Aviation Pro, I agree with your statement.

[walkingman]

3. I think honesty is usually the best path unless it can causes hurt that serves no purpose.

My life philosophy is being kind not cruel. Sometimes if it even involves telling a "white lie".

[rampartd]

10. if you can't say something good don't say anything at all.

[Grim Chieftain]

4. I always side with telling the truth

Last edited Thu Nov 20, 2025, 06:27 PM - Edit history (1)

But I always preface it with "just remember you asked".

Edit to add - It's important to be tactful, compassionate and considerate of one's feelings, but gently tell the truth.
There. That's better.

[No Vested Interest]

5. Well, don't lie. Full truth is not always necessary if bad feelings will likely result among family, etc.

[anciano]

6. Being truthful is important....

unless it's about the size of that fish I caught last summer.

[Dorothy V]

7. Nobody likes being lied to.

If you really think telling the truth would be harmful in some way, remember that silence is golden.

[JMCKUSICK]

8. Someone told me many years ago, and I carry it to this day

"Honesty without kindness is Cruel"

[zanana1]

13. That is so true.

Good for you, JMCKUSICK!

[nocoincidences]

9. Knowing those moments when the bald truth is really not appropriate,

is an art.

Ex. Do these pants make my butt look big?

Being right is not always the correct response.

It's winning the battle or winning the war. Choose carefully.

[JoseBalow]

11. I never lie about anything

[True Dough]

12. I don't know any more!

Lying through your teeth can result in you inhabiting the highest office in the land.

Sadly, that might be incentive for some people to lie.

[zanana1]

14. The truth can be an insult.

I was at a social gathering not long ago, and a 10 year old kid pointed at me and yelled "YOU'RE FAT"! I took the little sh..kid aside and told him that hurting someone's feelings is not funny and that he should think about what he says. He smiled and said "HAH HAH"! I wanted to swat him. (Can you tell I don't have kids?).

[debm55]

15. Yes. a white lie or not saying saying anything. But when does the "truth" step into gaslighting?

[Aristus]

16. I support Kurt Vonnegut's concept of "foma" - harmless untruths.

"How do I look in this?"

"You look lovely. You always do".

[debm55]

17. But if it not true, is it not a lie?

[malthaussen]

18. Probably not, but I do anyway.

The truth, or say nothing. It is possible, however, to dodge potentially awkward questions depending on the context.

But when all evasion fails, the truth will out.

-- Mal

[debm55]

20. Thank you very much malthaussen. Sometimes the truth will out. but sometimes it doesn't

[mike_c]

19. my experience is that truth is always best

Even good intentioned lies eventually become indefensible and are never a good look. The truth usually comes out sooner or later.