Do You Dare to Deceive?

Do You Dare to Deceive?

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

D is for Deceit.

April 4^th is Tell a Lie Day. Perhaps ironically, it’s also Hug a Newsman Day. No joke.

C’mon, I’m a journalist. Would I lie to you about something like that?

“Liar, liar. Pants on fire.”

Let’s take a look at deceit.

What have some famous folks said on the subject? Here are seven quick quotes to ponder.

“Accuracy is the twin brother of honesty; inaccuracy, of dishonesty.) (Nathaniel Hawthorne)

“It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.” (Noel Coward)

“Acting is like lying. The art of lying well. I'm paid to tell elaborate lies.” (Mel Gibson)

“Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.” (Plato)

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” (George Orwell)

“A lie does not consist in the indirect position of words, but in the desire and intention, by false speaking, to deceive and injure your neighbor.” (Jonathan Swift)

“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!” (Sir Walter Scott)

How do you feel about deceit?

• Do you believe lying is ever warranted?
• Is a white lie more acceptable than any other kind?
• What constitutes a white lie?
• Can you name any situations in which lying might be justified?
• Have you ever caught someone in a lie?
• Has anyone ever caught you?
• (If you blog your answers to any of these questions today, be sure to leave a link to your posts in the comment section below.)

 

As the soul-searching starts, here’s a bit of musical inspiration. Take a listen to Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar.”

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Image:

Public domain clip-art