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by anonymous on September 24th, 2007

anonymous

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I consider a lie a lie. So why does everybody say it was a little white lie? isnt that still a lie?

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Answers. 12 helpful answers below.

  • by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on September 24th, 2007

    Sheriff Raff -Answerhag

    I refuse to lie. When some total stranger comes up to me in a store and asks me how something looks on them, I give them the truth. What do I have to lose? They asked and I will probably never encounter them again.

    If someone I know is dumb enough to ask me for my opinion, all bets are off, they know me for my candor.

    When I answer the phone at work and tell someone that my boss is not available and they ask me "did he tell you to say that because he knows who is on the phone" I just snicker and change the subject.

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  • by Sheepingly needs no handy men only hugs on September 24th, 2007

    Sheepingly needs no handy men only hugs

    A little white lie is a lie based on good intentions.

    A regular lie is a lie based on selfishness and deceit

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  • by Im Alec has abandoned this account on September 24th, 2007

    Im Alec has abandoned this account

    Absolute total honesty will create unnecessary conflict. If someone accidentally steps on your toe, then asks if it hurt, it is better to say "no", even if it did, because otherwise they will waste time trying to rectify it when they cannot. If you wife says "you don't fancy that girl, do you?", you will be in deep trouble if you say "Yes" even if it is (as it will inevitable be occasionally) true. If she says "does my bum look big in this", do not say "Darling, your bum looks big in everything". Id some says "Do you want the last cookie", it is easy to say "No, Thank you" than to say "Yes, but I am prepared to forgo it in order to let you have it" which, while true, leaves the other feeling guilty.

    Generally, it is often better to lie about your feelings when nothing can be done about them. Otherwise, kindly people will waste their time tring to fixed that which cannot be fixed. Your sore toe will recover, you are not going to chase that girl even if you fancy her, your wife's bum is not going to change because of what you say, and someone has to eat the last cookie, preferably without guilt.

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  • by Debris - the new slimline version. on September 24th, 2007

    Debris - the new slimline version.

    Good question.

    I see where you are coming from, yes a lie is a lie but sometimes lies are needed in society to avoid causing others pain or upset.

    But thats just my opinion :-)

    One question - does your child believe in Santa Clause or have you told them the truth?

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  • by hijklmno on September 24th, 2007

    hijklmno

    Because there's a spectrum. Consider these statements as false:

    - I think you look nice in that.
    - I have three hands.
    - I did not kill that man.
    - I was only obeying orders.

    Are they as bad as one another?

    A lie is a lie, but some are more "lie-ful" than others.

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  • by Twila_Zoned on September 24th, 2007

    Twila_Zoned

    Abso-freakin-lutely! A lie is a lie is a lie.... Even if the truth hurts, it's still easier to take than a lie, and the betrayal of the person who told it to you.

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  • by Anna on September 24th, 2007

    Anna

    A lie in any way you put it, is still a lie. Little white lies are lies just the same.

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  • by LadyLuck on September 24th, 2007

    LadyLuck

    Welllll...

    If your three year old is looking forward to presents on Christmas and you tell them that they're from Santa - is that not *technically* a "little white lie"? Same as the tooth fairy or Easter Bunny?

    What about if a friend buys a dress that they absolutely love, and you know letting them know it was ugly would break their heart? What if you REALLY don't want to talk on the phone to someone and tell them you've "got to go" - you actually don't HAVE to get off the phone, you just want to because the conversation is over on your end.

    Certain white lies are okay, IMO. Necessary, even. Others can be detrimental.

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  • by Warren_C4724 on December 2nd, 2010

    Warren_C4724

    A white lie is done to protect someone else's feelings. The purpose of other lies is to protect ourselves. Yes, they're both lies, but the motivation is different.

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  • by Thriftymaid on December 3rd, 2010

    Thriftymaid

    It is in 2010 and it was in 2007. Not sure how this old question resurfaced, but.....

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  • by AnonymousGirl on April 24th, 2009

    AnonymousGirl

    I agree with you. Yes, it is still a lie.

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  • by Lucky67 on February 16th, 2010

    Lucky67

    Yes, you are right, once they lie they always lie and a lie a lie, and that's still lie.
    But, using it for good things or to protecting is ok, but not for the breaking or hurting things.

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