Have you ever heard of the expression “the truth will set you free”? It bears (not the animal) a lot of weight considering how daunting the truth can be sometimes. It does make sense, though. The truth does set people free, in fact, some people have been able to live their whole life stress-free and at peace simply because they never lie.
Lying is like the snowball effect–the snowball starts small, but as it progresses downhill it begins to grow larger and larger. Lying does the same thing. The more you lie, the more it will become harder for you to track your lies, know the truth, and remember which lies you said to whom.
The truth is simply the truth. There is no room for opinion and no option for change because the truth is what it is. It is the most honest, pure, and credible statement that can exist. Think about when you have arguments with someone, and once the truth is told how those arguments disappear. Crazy, right? Almost as if the truth set you free! *wink*
Example: Jane asks, “Did you get the car fixed?” You reply “yes” thinking that this white lie will not be detrimental to anyone in the near future. While on her way to pick up her child, Jane finds out that you lied about the car and now has to go to the mechanic. Jane realizes that her child still needs to be picked up from school, so she asks her friend Wilma if she could do her the favor. But Wilma is too late…
Wilma arrives at the school late due to traffic and to her surprise Jane’s child is not there. The school, Jane, and the authorities have now been contacted because Jane’s child was kidnapped. Weeks go by and Jane has been attempting to remain calm, and also try not to physically hurt you (since you lied about the car). Luckily, Jane’s child was found and the kidnapper was arrested. Phew!
Do you see how ONE white lie can have such ramifications on people’s lives, albeit your own and others (ripple effect)? If you had simply said that the car was not fixed, then Wilma could have avoided all of the traffic and picked up Jane’s child sooner, or at least before the kidnapper. Lies can effect everyone around you, even people not involved in the lie (i.e. the kidnapper).
The point I am trying to make is that lying never helps anyone. Yes, you could argue that lying can protect people in certain circumstances (and I would agree), but once the truth is revealed, different opinions, emotions, or experiences may occur. Someone may resent you for not telling the truth from the beginning, or question your credibility and trust. Not to mention the possible emotions and self-judgment that may wander around in your own mind.
Telling the truth is the best way to maintain relationships (due to trust) and to live your life without worry. Truths are able to defend themselves because they are the end-all-be-all; they are pure and do not falter in any way. They are the clearest form of communication and the best way to uphold your own integrity as a person.
“The truth” and “the lie” are perfectly balanced in the sense that one cannot be without the other. I cannot lie if there is no truth, because then I would have nothing to lie about. Does that make sense? Yes? No? Either way you answer, I just hope you did not lie to me, or worse…yourself.
Truthfully,
E.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDloBnGnBG8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
@quotedthinkers #tellthetruth #truth #lie #rippleeffect #snowballeffect #psychology #philosophy #consequences
thEEsmilE 