Is there such a thing as a “good lie”?

Question

I heard it in a song.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

In the bible, a random Jewish person asked Jesus's disciple if Jesus pays the temple tax, and the disciple assumed He did not pay the temple tax since Jesus was too busy preaching to work a job that would provide him with income, but he told the Jewish inquisitor that Jesus did indeed pay the tax, not knowing whether or not Jesus paid it and assuming that Jesus did not pay the tax.

Then Jesus performed a miracle to make money come out of nowhere so Jesus could pay taxes to the Jewish temple and so he could avoid angering the Jewish people, and avoid avoid making them think he was a leech who did not contribute to the Jewish societal group in ancient Israel.

So what began as a lie by the disciple of Jesus, turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy that turned into truth.

laurieluvsit · Accepted Answer

Of course.

Rahab hid two Israelite spies on her roof and lied about their whereabouts saving their lives. She was rewarded by God who spared her life and the life of her entire family for doing so. (Joshua 2)

There is such a thing as 'A Righteous Lie'.

Hope that helps :)

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

There are harmless lies to spare people's feelings. There are lies to avoid conflict. There are lies to sidestep pointless attempts to save someone who doesn't want to be saved when you simply don't care. There are lies to boost someone's confidence. There are lies to take down narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths with their own weapons. Is any of that "good"? It's very situational and subject to individual judgement. Are you doing more harm than good? Do you care? Is there an end game in service of a bigger picture than the lie?

slatyb · Accepted Answer

Yes, there is, when it's a kindness. In his memoir, Martin Short (comedian, famous on SNL) wrote that when his was was being checked monthly for cancer and the numbers were not good, he lied to her and told her that it was ok. Eventually she became seriously ill and he told her that he had been lying. She said "You did the right thing."

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

It's an intriguing concept. In life, sometimes "good lies" are told with positive intentions, like sparing someone’s feelings or creating a surprise. However, it’s subjective and context-dependent. In movies, this theme is often explored, showcasing the moral dilemma characters face. Remember, communication is vital, and honesty often builds trust. Still, art sometimes romanticizes the idea of a "good lie" for storytelling. 🎭

Bitter_Sweet94 · Answer

There are lies that feel kind, but they’re still lies.

Sometimes people hide the truth to protect feelings, avoid conflict, or soften a blow but even “good lies” carry a cost.

Honesty may hurt in the moment, but clarity keeps trust alive.

A lie, no matter how gentle, always leaves a shadow behind it.

jazzy34 · Answer

No, but I'll sometimes "lie to survive." In other words, giving false information about myself to someone I don't feel safe about. Otherwise, no. Lying is always bad.

Jackblue · Answer

Your grandmother gives you a gift and you hate it but tell her you love it, that is a good lie.

Cormac995 · Answer

"Does this dress make me look fat?" Even if it's true the answer is always no. Yes there are times when lying is good.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

You mean a lie that harms no one? Yeah. There are also lies that make your life better, depending on your perspective

genericname85 · Answer

i would say if the overall ammount of good that comes from a lie for everyone else is greater than the overall ammount of bad that comes from it, it's a "good" lie.

RingOfFire · Answer

Sure... sometimes people WANT to hear lies, to comfort them. That can be good if the intent is to relieve them from stress in certain circumstances.

LiamJHayden · Answer

I can think of at least one: Nazis to the Ten Boom family, "Have you seen any Jews?" Ten Boom Family, who are hiding Jews, "No."

Mike_Whocheese_Harry · Answer

yes. Often if you want to surprise someone with something (a present, good news, a party) you'll have to be deceptive to keep the ruse going.

Nonamez · Answer

I would say , a safe lie is a good lie, we live in world full of lies and we do this from very young years 🫣

loveslongnails · Answer

I believe in good lies. Some people can't handle ALL the truth, so lies of omission are sometimes necessary.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

I don’t do lies. I will never pretend to think something that I don’t actually think to avoid hurting someone else’s feelings. I will never fail to speak what is genuinely on my mind, regardless of whatever consequences may come from it.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

The closest thing is a lie to protect someone.. As in good protection..

Anonymous · Answer

You are honest or you aren't.  You can lie - then you are not honest. Easy. You dont lie... that's not always comfortable way.

Jennz6 · Answer

A little white lie to save someone from being hurt by the truth?

noohair · Answer

There is one good lie. When your wife asks if her butt looks too big in a particular outfit, lie your ass off.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, of course, a pretty lie is always better than an ugly truth (Ferengi proverb, Star Trek) :P

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

Imagine being hunted so you disguise yourself. A form of lying protect yourself. That's a good lie.

kaucky1 · Answer

A good lie other should use gnawed itself off

NervousIndividual · Answer

No. Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes. You can't be honest that you can hurt other people.

Californiagirl5 · Answer

If you're in danger or a telemarketer calls.

Rosemaiden · Answer

Lying and deceiving is a sin

robocop666 · Answer

no there is no good lie.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Nope

Anonymous · Answer

I try not to lie

exitseven · Answer

not really.

Is there such a thing as a “good lie”?

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