Is it human nature to lie?

@sprite1950 (30453)
Corsham, England
March 13, 2018 4:03am CST
Studies have shown that children become accomplished liars at a very young age mainly to get themselves out of trouble when they know they have done something they know they shouldn't. There can't be many of us that haven't lied at some time or other; I don't mean the pathological liar who can't help himself, but the day to day lies when maybe we don't want to do something or because we don't want hurt someone's feelings, but is it really the best way? Being completely honest sometimes can cause huge arguments. Anyone who has seen the film Liar Liar would know this. Sometimes we really need to tell a white lie to keep the peace. Do you tell white lies sometimes or is everything that comes out of your mouth the honest truth? Image from Pixabay
12 people like this
13 responses
@NoorNoor (2131)
• India
13 Mar 18
I'm a type of a girl who don't have the skill to lie.I don't tell lies basically.may be I can tell something by my ignorance.But some of my friends are excellent to tell lies!! They can manage all the problems by telling lies after lies!! I learned it from them.And I love watching someone during lying.yes sometimes we really need to tell white lies.Don't think i'm lying now!! lol
3 people like this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@NoorNoor Well I suppose as long as it doesn't become too much of a habit. I used to lie to my parents about what I was up to when I was young. So bad of me but I think it was best they didn't know!
1 person likes this
@mydanods (6513)
• Nigeria
13 Mar 18
It's good to tell the truth all the time. But sometimes, I have also found myself telling white lies because I was in a corner. I felt bad about it.
2 people like this
@NoorNoor (2131)
• India
13 Mar 18
@mydanods sometimes it happens.you don't need to feel bad about this. Lying is permitted in three circumstances in islam. When a person mediates between two disputing parties in order to reconcile between them, if reconciliation cannot be achieved in any other way. When a man’s speaking to his wife, or a woman speaking to her husband, with regard to matters that will strengthen the ties of love between them, even if that is accompanied by exaggeration. lying to enemies at times of war.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
13 Mar 18
I think that to lie is in human nature. I am mainly honest, but I tell white lies, mainly not to upset people. What to say to a middle age woman who dress like a teenager and come to you asking "do you think I still look a lot younger?". I know I should tell, "no, but you look ridiculous", but I cannot.
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@LadyDuck Lol! Yes it's the classic 'does my bum look big in this' scenario. If it was a good friend and they asked I might suggest they looked better in something else but most of my friends dress appropriately for their age.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@LadyDuck I've been reading something which said that scheming and dishonesty are part of human nature. That's probably true.
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@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
13 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Exactly this scenario. This woman is not really my friend and I know she would not get the hint, but would be offended.
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@Sreekala (34312)
• India
13 Mar 18
I wish to be an honest person. However, I too lie at times when the situations demands.
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
13 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Yes that will be a great 'lie' indeed. However, the ability to lie among kids are considered as their ability to tackle the situations. Sadly they are misinterpreted and all of us are very eager to teach them the importance of telling truth.
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@Sreekala That's quite interesting. We do teach them to tell the truth but when they are very outspoken it can be embarrassing!
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@Sreekala I don't believe anyone who says they never lie.
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@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
13 Mar 18
If I tell you that what comes out fo my mouth is always the honest truth, then I'd be lying.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
13 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Yeah because they're 100% lying! I don't think there's someone in this world who never lies at all.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@toniganzon Even little children do. We tell them they should tell the truth and then they embarrass us by saying something that would be better not said!
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@toniganzon I don't believe anyone who says they never lie.
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@Essjayd (1568)
13 Mar 18
Sometimes you have to lie it's a fact of life. Like at job interviews when they ask why you want to work there! You end up telling them how it's your lifelong dream to work in a fast food joint. The honest truth is you'd rather eat your own spleen than work there but you got bills to pay :)
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@Essjayd Haha! A good example of why it's necessary to lie sometimes!
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@Essjayd I've got to be honest I once lied in an interview about a qualification. I said I had it when I didn't but they didn't check and hired me. I did well in the job so the lie worked out well
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@Essjayd (1568)
13 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Oh yes been there too many times...CV,s and job interviews are like a quest to find the biggest liar to hire
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@fei1125 (607)
• Chengde, China
13 Mar 18
I think it up to education level.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@fei1125 I don't think so. I was reading an article which said scheming and dishonesty is part of human nature.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 18
@fei1125 Oh no, not at all. Being educated makes no difference at all in this respect! Think of politicians. Are they stupid? No. If they were, they wouldn't be in a high position. Do they lie? Yes, many do.
2 people like this
@fei1125 (607)
• Chengde, China
14 Mar 18
@MALUSE Maybe environment also works
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
14 Mar 18
I do tell white lies, especially with people whom I don't want to get hurt.
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
13 Mar 18
I sometimes tell white lies. I do know a pathological liar though.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
27 Apr 18
@sprite1950 Like you said I am sure at one time or another all of us have lied. I guess to me it depends on why someone is lying. If they are doing it to protect someone that I would have to hear what the lie is to say if it is ok or not. If it is to get out of trouble and blame someone else then it is not right.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
27 Apr 18
I would never lie to get someone else into trouble. If I have made a mistake I will admit to it even if it is uncomfortable for me.
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
27 Apr 18
@Hannihar Yes I feel bad if I've said or done something wrong.
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@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
27 Apr 18
@sprite1950 Snowdrop66, When I make a mistake I admit it too and then I want to apologize.
1 person likes this
@tzwrites (4835)
• Romania
13 Mar 18
It's easy to lie and I sometimes tell white lies to get myself out of things but I also believe it's human nature to lie, at least a little bit...
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@tzwrites I agree, If we all told the honest truth we would have no friends!
• Cuddalore, India
14 Mar 18
Depending upon the situation . I agree I have said several lies .
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
14 Mar 18
@Lignitecityabishek96 Sometimes it's necessary so as not to hurt people.
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• Cuddalore, India
14 Mar 18
@sprite1950 yes that's the main thing .
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@Icydoll (36717)
• India
13 Mar 18
Yeah it's human nature to lie mainly not to upset the people
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@Icydoll I always thought it was amusing when my kids told fibs when they were little. Their guilty faces always gave it away.
@sashann (210)
• Philippines
13 Mar 18
it's a never ending discussion ,, it is always depend,depend on the situation, depends on the person, depends on everything
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
13 Mar 18
@sashann I think it's necessary if we want to have friends in life.
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@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
14 Mar 18
@sashann Absolutely! I've done that a few times
@sashann (210)
• Philippines
14 Mar 18
@sprite1950 we even lied to ourselves (in denial).
1 person likes this