21. Sometimes lying serves the general good more effectively than truth telling does

It is said that the first and original lie was, when Satan told Eve: “You certainly will not die.”

Let me narrate a true story – 

One Friday afternoon a young couple walked into a jeweler shop. 

‘We’d like to look at some of your diamond necklaces,’ the young man said. 

The jeweler brought out his stock and after long consideration the couple selected a magnificent necklace.

“We are going out of the town for the weekend so I will be back to you on Monday to pick it up and I’ll issue a cheque to you. While providing his bank details to confirm the order the young man said, "it will also give you the time to check my credit".

And the couple left the store.

Next day the jeweler discovered that young man had only fifty-six Rupees to his name in the bank for past several months.

On Monday morning when the prospective customer came to the store the owner was furious. 

“Oh, that is all right” said the young customer, “I did not expect to get the necklace. I just came to thank you for helping me have a really wonderful weekend.”

The young wife wasn’t furious. She understood that it was just a common lie her husband, like other husbands, have been telling all along. 

This story proves that we sometimes have a moral obligation to behave dishonestly. And the guy who told a lie to his wife did no wrong.

Emulate him.

Lying is generally considered a sin across many religious and ethical systems. It is often viewed as a transgression against truthfulness and integrity, and can damage trust and relationships. 

But Plato advocated that rulers must promulgate ‘noble’ lies to promote social harmony among the masses. He emphasized that moral value of lying depends upon the context in which the lie is told. 

Why we lie? Psychologists have identified a number of motives for lying - the wish to avoid conflict, the strong desire to manipulate someone and the need to preserve self-esteem.

In 2002 a study was conducted by American psychologist Robert S. Feldman that suggests that people lie on average two to three times for every 10 minutes of conversation time. 

That must be correct for Americans. But I disagree with these findings.

In India we listen lies everyday – hardly a politician tells truth in his entire life.

They follow only the best which suits them – like “if you tell a lie long enough, it becomes real.” Then the lie no longer exists and all you're left with is your version of the truth. 

And we let our politicians deceive us, happily.

However, I agree with John Stuart Mill, who says that “there are circumstances in which lying serves the general good more effectively than truth telling does.” 

But if you are so much into things like morality and all, follow Immanuel Kant who proposed that there are no conceivable circumstances in which lying is morally acceptable. 

(Top Photo courtesy https://housing.com, with thanks.)