The truth about lies

I have had my fair share of lies lately. Lies to unsettle me, to manipulate, to scare and hurt me. Lies to cover up truth and lies to cover up more lies. After so many recent battles dealing with these lies (and one particularly big liar), I've learned some things about them and what they can do to a person. I just wanted to share a little bit about the subject in hopes that we all, including myself can think a bit harder about telling a lie, even a casual one in the future.

So first, what is a lie? And what is truth?

As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a lie is: an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive; something that misleads or deceives.

Truth on the other hand is: sincerity in action, character, and utterance; the state of being the case; the body of real things, events, and facts; actuality. 

There are so many stories I can tell about how lies have hurt me, hurt others I know, and even ultimately hurt the person telling those lies, but I honestly am just too tired and exhausted to get into all that. Instead I decided to share what many other intelligent and wise people throughout history have already succinctly  told us. 

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.  ~Mark Twain

Who lies for you will lie against you.  ~Bosnian Proverb

A half truth is a whole lie.  ~Yiddish Proverb

Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind.  ~Austin O'Malley

The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted.  ~Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

With lies you may get ahead in the world - but you can never go back.  ~Russian proverb

A lie has speed, but truth has endurance.  ~Edgar J. Mohn

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us.  But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.  ~Tad Williams

Three things cannot long be hidden the sun, the moon, and the truth. ~Confucious

Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.  ~Thomas Jefferson

And if those things don't speak to you, perhaps these Proverbs from the Bible will:

Proverbs 3:3-4 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 and so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 6:16-19 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 12:17, 19-20, 22 17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. 19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. Proverbs 13:5 5 A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

Proverbs 19:1, 5, 9 1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish. Proverbs 19:22 22 What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. Proverbs 21:6 6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. Proverbs 28:13 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Let us remember that lying is a choice and our actions have consequences.

Live. Love. Be free. And be true to yourself and to those around you.

Hannah Bee