Truth is complicated. Truth is personal. And truth is important.
However, there are definitely white lies, and truths we feel, yet shouldn’t tell.
For truth to be valuable, it needs to be necessary. What is an unnecessary truth? Unnecessary truth, is truth that doesn’t serve for good, but for ill. An example of such a truth might be how we think a baby is downright ugly. What good would come of telling the baby’s mother? None. We’d injure her with our words, and yes, words cause the worst injuries.
So, no, I won’t always tell the whole truth as I see it, unless I believe the whole truth is necessary. Often, it isn’t.
Well put. In today’s world it appears many folks believe speaking nothing but truth is “spiritually” liberating. Maybe they feel they are earning “perfection” points. For one thing, perfection doesn’t exist. Secondly, as you mention above, silence may be the best option in many cases to avoid hurting someone unnecessarily.
The most poignant point you made, in my opinion, is hurtful words can cause the worst pain. Sadly, compliments are frequently forgotten with time, but hurtful words seem to be immortal. Thanks for sharing.
Debbie
Thank you for adding such clarity to the thoughts that motivated that post. I once told my oldest daughter something to the effect of, “People will forget a good deed in a day, but they will remember an ill act forever.” Words are such powerful weapons, yet they can also be used for good. Ultimately it is up to us as to which way we use them.
If you stop back, you may be interested in the post I’m doing right now, at two minutes before three AM. The universe has its flows, and synchronicity is but one of them. I have titled the post, “On Exhaustion.”
Great truism comment to your daughter. Maybe the truth of that statement has substantially escalated even in just these past five years.
I’ll check the new “Exhaustion” post. Been an early bird my entire life. Best time of the day to catch worms.