Let’s Keep It Honest, Or Not

By: Nada Wahba

English Managing Editor

I’ve always found it peculiar how honesty is viewed amongst some; some people see honesty as a courageous move, others view it as unnecessary. However, something that is ongoing is how honesty in itself is met with utter awe.

By that, I do not insinuate that the receiving end is concerned with the content of what the message holds rather it is more about the act of being honest that is held in high regard. As though honesty is a rare occurrence, a skill that one gets applauded on. 

So I began wondering why honesty is not the default since lying is considered a flaw. Do white lies exempt someone from being honest?

 Many of us have resorted to veiling the truth in what would subconsciously redeem someone’s moral compass, a white lie.

But what makes a white lie fly under the radar while other forms of lying aren’t justified? To answer such a question, one needs to think of the reason people tend to lie in the first place. 

There are many reasons why people feel driven to lie, or in other words, refrain from saying the whole truth, or being completely honest. 

Honesty requires a level of vulnerability that a lot of people aren’t comfortable displaying. Some of them might view honesty as a way of shedding layers where a new part of themselves is being exposed as they continue on being honest. 

White lies are usually used in a context where protection is favored. Whether one’s intention is to protect themselves or the person they care about, they avoid confrontation and ultimately scramble for the next best thing. 

Telling a lie can also be viewed as a tool of power, where one gets to control the amount of information people have of them. In other words, a basic survival instinct so natural selection doesn’t wipe out “ the weak.” 

Maybe honesty isn’t favored because it is in a way a form of indulgence where one gets reinforced after getting a particular thought off their chest. In doing so, they long for the sweet feeling of release after unburdening themselves.

With that, one can spiral into telling the whole truth and nothing but, which might lead to potential disasters if other people’s feelings are involved. Maybe it is a sign of selfishness and such an association doesn’t resonate well with some. 

Maybe this is why honesty doesn’t have to be the rigid rule?