We all lie, all the time. Lies can be divided in two kinds----black lies. Lies are tied in with self-esteem. In order to make the social situation smoother or easier and to avoid insulting other through disagreement or discord, we lie. People are so engaged in managing how others perceive them. If they feel that their self-esteem is threatened, they immediately begin to lie. Men lie generally for self- promoting reasons, while women are more likely to lie to spare the other’s feeling.

It’s no doubt that black lies are harmful, but not the white lies. In fact, sometimes lying is the best approach for protecting privacy and ourselves and others from malice. We want to both look good when we are in the company of others and we want to protect our self- worth. I think it’s OK to lie if nice lies are well-intended. To tell the truth is not always essential. On some occasions, it is necessary to tell lies and it is not right to tell the truth. Sometimes we lie to avoid hurting others, particularly when the unvarnished truth is perhaps too hard to accept. In some degrees, white lie can be parts of the principle of caring.

If there were no lied, could the world be better? I don’t think so. Truth can be cruel and sometimes it is miserable for people to accept. If all of us accept the truth, we won’t be as happy as now. Maybe the unforeseen consequence of white lies is terrible, but at least the initial purpose is for other’s own sake, and that’s enough.

Apart from lying to protect others, we also lie to protect ourselves. Everybody has privacy and it’s impossible to give all the secrets out. Maybe parts of the privacy are embarrassed and shamed. Tell the truth or lie? I will choose to lie without hesitation. Why not?