Are lies ever alright?

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Inspired by @JolietJake - I decided to write about lies. Lies are an interesting subject.  I've done a lot of thinking about lies.  See - I used to have a compulsion about lying.  Even over little things - things that in no way impacted anyone else.  For example, say I was chatting with a friend and I told them that I bought new jeans on a Thursday and - after seeing them - I remembered that I actually got jeans on a Tuesday.  Well I would have to call them up and tell them.  Even though I knew it was ridiculous.  Or speaking in absolutes was another that would wind me up.  "I always..."  , "I never...". OH well, is that true that you ALWAYS or that you NEVER.....? I agree that honesty is usually the best policy - if you lie once you are forced into lying more and eventually the truth has a way of coming out, anyway. However, let's take certain individuals.  I know you probably have some in your life too.  My example is my dad.  He has many mental illnesses.  As you might have guessed - at times he is challenging to get along with.   There are certain things that no matter how well you explain things - he will not "get it".  He will understand it his own way (incorrect) and that is that.  He has control issues with me even as an adult.  If he had his way I would ask permission for just about everything like I did the first 32 years of my life until I moved out.  I was prevented from doing/going to/ seeing / participating in a lot of things because - long story short - I wasn't allowed. Allow me to clarify.  None of these things were illegal or dangerous.  Stuff like hanging out at a friend's place or going to local concerts.  Even if I was allowed to go he would make false assumptions.  Stuff like ------how he thought I was spending myself broke on drinks at these bars.  How he thought I had a reputation as a prostitute because I would go to bars. ---- now.  Keep in mind, most of the time when I go out, I order soda.  Rarely, maybe 6 times a year or so I will have one, or 2 drinks in an evening.  Not even drunk.   As for prostitute - I don't go home with people, in fact men take a very active stance on avoiding me.  So there.  But he'd rage on for hours flinging these accusations (lies) around until I would do things like stay home and play therapist for him (what he wanted - me to stay home weekends and listen to his tales of woe)  .  So, even though I felt bad about "lying" - I fail to see how , say - in the above circumstance telling dear old dad that I was going to a sewing night (an accepted activity) with "Lula" when actually "Lula" and I were going out dancing - does any harm.  It prevents him from freaking out, hurting my feelings and not allowing me, an adult,  to do things that are absolutely acceptable for an adult to do.  I ran all this by my therapist once - they told me that there is a philosophy that says to say what causes the least harm, is actually the best choice.  I wish I could remember the name of this philosophy.  Anyway, that's my two cents...  lying is generally wrong and I would prefer people be honest with me (without being intentionally mean) however I believe that there are situations where lying or white lies are justified.  What is your opinion?