I actually told a lie yesterday evening. Do you ever lie?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238317)
Walnut Creek, California
April 12, 2021 10:30am CST
"You confess it--you actually confess it--you told a lie!"
So begins Mark Twain's short story, "Was it Heaven? Or Hell?"
Perhaps I'll summarize the story when I get home from work. It's probably my favorite Twain short story.
Yesterday, I told a lie. Am I bound for Hell?
The flaky preschool Director teacher called me early in the evening, asking me to come in for a couple of hours this (Monday) morning. I said yes.
But an hour later, the Assistant Directer called from the non-flaky preschool, where my birthday cake-baking friends play, and asked me to come in for four hours. I said yes.
I called back the flaky preschool Director and told her I had "forgotten" that I was working at the other place this morning.
I had not "forgotten." I had received a better offer. I lied.
When do you lie? Mark Twain says that everyone does, no matter how "righteous" we pretend to be.
20 people like this
20 responses
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
12 Apr 21
I don´t have any problem. I am not "righteous"
But I do try not to hurt people. That can be done by saying the truth or by lying.
But I do try not to hurt people. That can be done by saying the truth or by lying.5 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51823)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Apr 21
The most common lie is "I'm fine."
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51823)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Apr 21
@vandana7 Someone asks "How are you?" and the askee responds "I'm fine" because they know the asker doesn't really want to know about all the aches and pains the askee may be feeling at the time.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (238317)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Apr 21
@RebeccasFarm I would too. Unless I was Socrates. But I am not.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
12 Apr 21
When do I lie? Only on days that end in Y. 
I’d lie about that, too, taking a better offer.
I’d lie about that, too, taking a better offer.4 people like this
@snowy22315 (208955)
• United States
13 Apr 21
Lying bothers me so I try not to lie to people..although I have been known to lie to companies..it just feels less wrong somehow..
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238317)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Apr 21
I agree. I tend to sleep well, and I believe my overall "truthfulness" contributes to that. But I do occasionally tell white lies, or frame thing more pleasantly than I might ("sounds like you've been working on that song!"). Or just lie by omission.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135789)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Apr 21
I would have done the same with those offers. I lie when something will hurt someones feeling. If I catch myself before saying the truth
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52149)
• Staten Island, New York
12 Apr 21
A little lie cannot hurt anyone. Or can it? Let’s hope she doesn’t know about mylot.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
13 Apr 21
We all do...and no, you aren't going to Hell because of it.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
13 Apr 21
yep that is a lie - one of gain.
but, i suspect in the long run you have to balance the reality of bad situation vs good situation. It is ok to try to do the right things for you sometimes!
1 person likes this
@samysotelo18 (7743)
• Mexico
12 Apr 21
I can lie but It's better it I don't have to
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
12 Apr 21
Million times. But usually to evade some situation. I have always professed that I am a liar. Proudly too. If you have been in marketing department, you cannot help being a liar. It just gets into you..all that glib talking. But I was a liar even before. Just that the ratio increased many times over, and I perfected the art so to say.
@jstory07 (148734)
• Roseburg, Oregon
13 Apr 21
You need to work where you get the best offer. I would.
@Fa_Maverick (9491)
• Australia
13 Apr 21
I lied for years about not being severely depressed. I also lied yesterday but it was for a good reason. I didnt want a random knowing my business :D
