Is honesty always the best policy?

Question

Rosexøxø · Accepted Answer

I’m always honest. Just gotta know how to be there for them if the honesty doesn’t make them feel well, and sometimes I make a judgement call to wait until they finish something and sometimes I say it before they do big tasks because I can tell already they will be able to hear the information but then put it to the side and focus on the work, and then reflect on it later but already be caught in the rhythm of doing instead of stopping and being gloomy, so they can then face their true emotions, but learn to not stop living life. I used this method when they don’t ask me something but they need to know what I found out. Like a death of someone or harsh news and all.

It depends, I usually assess the person. Also I can’t always save them from all the painful news there can be, or misfortune, but I can’t try to help give them some navigation points to make it through and assure them I’d be there alongside them if they needed that. Or anything else.

I hardly judge people, like, I can be pretty understanding and most of the time it’s not a big deal to me, so if they ask for my opinion, I try to show them general ways they can upgrade things and also remind them that no one will be obsessed about it as they are at the time.

I don’t know, honesty has always just worked well for me, in both giving and receiving. In my current relationship he reflexively lied to me about something simple, and I told him never to do that always tell me the truth- simple or complex. I told him if I ever caught him lying I’d leave- plain and simple. I don’t negotiate with liars in my intimate circle. Or those I count on for things, and we came to a mutual understanding. I trust him. I’m not paranoid. If I catch it no matter how crazy, I’ll just go 🤷‍♀️ 😆 He knows I’m very serious about it, and he also knows I’ve neverrrrrr lied to him.

myloveforuisinfinte · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, probably not. Honesty is key to society's advancement, but as proven by many people who have had their lives ruined for simply stating their opinion, honesty is no longer an honourable trait. It truly is sad that people hide their beliefs out of fear of being “cancelled”. Hate speech is unacceptable, but being cancelled for relatively mundane opinions is simply a violation of free speech, and will most likely lead to being removed from society. I believe the “best policy” these days is knowing when you're being “too honest” for society's liking. It seems like being honest is only admired when your honesty is a likeable opinion 😊so hope u got my point.

dynamicyandere · Accepted Answer

Usually it is, but not always.

Usually, it’s best to be honest — but it’s important to be tactful with your words, especially if what you have to say is constructive criticism or bad news.

Like a doctor communicating with a family that their loved one only has a week to live, they should be careful with how they deliver the news.

When it’s better to not be honest, is when doing so doesn’t serve anybody and makes everything worse for everybody.

Or, when being honest literally puts you or others in danger.

For example, some acquaintance (or toxic family member) saying, “How’s it going?” But you KNOW that this person honestly doesn’t give a f*ck about whatever is going on in your life and does not actually want to lend a listening ear.

Or another example could be, an abuser asking their victim if they called the police or not. It’s okay to lie to protect yourself.

But, if you have a healthy relationship, then yes, honesty is generally the best policy — but as I mentioned before, how you deliver the message is important.

GuyAnswersGirls123 · Accepted Answer

I think with some practice, we can become very tactful without having to ever betray our true thoughts. I believe very strongly in tactfulness and diplomacy but not to the point of deception.

For example, if a woman with a giant butt asks us if her pants made her butt look big, my immediate thought is to reply, "The pants are innocent! This court rules that the pants are not guilty!"

And you know, that's honest but it lacks any tactfulness. So if I just pause for a moment and think about how to deliver a more agreeable answer that doesn't hurt her feelings without betraying my true thoughts, I quickly come up with the tactful answer.

That answer is, "No! Not at all!" Which is 100% honest because it's her butt making her butt look big, not the pants.

Anonymous · Answer

Everyone is saying yes but is everyone in this world actually honest? If I’m answering the question, yes it is the best policy….. to an extent. Depends on the situation. If you cheat then yes, tell me before someone else does cause I’ll trust you more. Anything else… I don't know. Im not always honest in the moment because I care about my partners feelings. If I know something is going to hurt him, I may lie in the moment and then wait until I feel the time is right to be honest. I think depending on the situation, you don’t always have to be honest. If it affects your relationship then yes be honest but if lying to keep them happy such as “your outfit is nice” then what’s the issue?
If I like someone and I asked them out and their response was “you’re not my type, you’re kind of ugly, you’re too skinny”— that can really hurt someone and it’s not worth being that honest for.

sage2021 · Answer

Honestly has been my only policy my whole life.

I got caught telling a lie to a teacher I kindergarten and oooooooh I did not like that feeling at all of being caught, especially by an authority figure like my teacher.

That was it for me. That way I don't have to try to splain nothin' Lucy.

sheikalana · Answer

I think you should always be honest unless your honesty is going to cause a big damage on the other person.

slatyb · Answer

No, it's not. Sometimes people ask you questions that they don't really want answered. Sometimes it's perfectly fine to lie. A good example is when rejecting unwanted advances. You can say anything at all to get the person to leave. "I'm in a relationship (with my dog)" "I'm not looking for a relationship (with you)". "I don't have time to date (you)"

Purpleronnie · Answer

Depends on the context there is no rule to be applied here in my opinion but certainly for the majority of the time yes. I hold myself to being as honest as I can not for karma or religious reasons but because I want to respect myself and for others to respect me and know where they stand.

jshm2 · Answer

No. As you cannot always be honest and decent. Doesn't mean you tell lies, but use tact instead.

For example, your girlfriend brings home a hideous piece for the party. You're not going to tell her to throw that fucking thing in the bin where it belongs. You're going to be nice and tactful in offering alternatives.

People who say they are "always honest" rarely are. They just like to ignore dissenting views.

Create21 · Answer

Honesty is subjective. You can say something that is true, but is leaving out a ton of facts. So, the easy answer is yes or no, or yes and no. HAHAHA

Minahh · Answer

Yes it is. Liars, hypocrites and fake people is what makes me really angry. They get so caught up in their lies it's actually funny to watch. A lot of people seem not to care that they're lied to.

serious · Answer

Yes it is the best policy but not a " rewarding" policy.

Being 100% honest in every aspect of life will only work if the person absolutely does not care about the outcome or the end result and only " cares" about being honest all the time.

Hence it is the best policy but not always rewarding from the final outcome point of view.

Of course it depends from situation to situation.

Jennz6 · Answer

What about a little white lie to not hurt someone’s feelings?

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Yea even if it hurts feelings, avoiding the truth to spare feelings is an issue, it's doing more harm than good cause feelings change, the truth doesn't.

Bricealan · Answer

If she asks me: "Do these pants make my ass look big"? I tell her: "Your ass is big no matter what pants you wear? ! 🤷‍♀️🤔🤔🤔🤔

OtterMan68 · Answer

not if you're running for President of the United States

FreyaRed · Answer

Always? No. However being dishonest just because for personal satisfaction can become bad custom

JacobJordan · Answer

Hmm. I tend to go with blunt honesty and some people get their wittle feelings hurt. So I would say avoid the blunt part but otherwise honesty is a good approach.

WhiteSteve · Answer

Most of the time, but probably times where it isn’t, haha

Nikki1989 · Answer

Yes, if it is real honestly and not just insults for the sake of being an asshole.

handsomelad70 · Answer

Sometimes a little white lie (or "little black lie," in my case) is in order to mend relationships, or even protect yourself from reprisals for your behaviour.

exitseven · Answer

No, sometimes you need to make your own rules.

loveslongnails · Answer

Some people can't handle full out honesty - it's just too much for them. I can think of about 70 million examples off the top of my head.

JHAYES317 · Answer

Yes…but you have to be tactful about how you express that honesty…basically try to say the truth without being mean…

BarryLiverstone · Answer

It’s the best policy. But there are exceptions right?

CVNT5 · Answer

It's not Honesty but the way you say it. you have to wait for the appropriate time to say things and be tactful about it.

whistlingwh0res · Answer

I think honest is the best policy no matter what but you have to go slow sometimes or make it in a different appropriate words so that someone don't get hurt.

ThatGreekGirl1996 · Answer

99% sometimes it’s best to lie to get out of the situation.

Shiningtempest · Answer

Honesty is always the best policy. Telling a lie in any shape or form creates distrust. Thus, honesty pays off in the short run & long run.

LaurenM1997 · Answer

Absolutely I wouldn’t like to be lied too I will be honest with the other person I would never lie I hate liars 😕

NathanDavis · Answer

yes... but not always the one you should go with

Anonymous · Answer

Yes. If a guy asks me if I think he's ugly I'ma tell him. Only cos he wants to know the truth. However if he never asks, then I'm never gonna tell him.

LiamJHayden · Answer

No. If the Nazis come to your door and ask if you are hiding Jews when you are, you lie.

deus_ex_sisyphus · Answer

I believe it is, so long as the person you are being honest with reciprocates that sentiment.

bobalife · Answer

Yes, honesty is the everything.

Kykiono1 · Answer

NO you need to lie to save yourself

robocop666 · Answer

there's honesty and stupidity

Gabriel-Chicanito · Answer

Yess. It's only being reaL with each other.

jaycool26 · Answer

Yes andn no being too honest will hurt you

laly520 · Answer

yes it is

Iron_Man · Answer

Yes it is

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

Yes…

nawtee_me · Answer

Yes it is

In_Trance · Answer

It's definitely not

war_daddy · Answer

for a real man yes

Is honesty always the best policy?

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