Telling truth is not always important and sometimes you have to lie. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The majority of people believe that honesty is a valuable character for a person. However, it is also widely held by many people that even an honest person sometimes would have to lie, though it is out of kindness. Personally, I totally agree with this point of view.

Probably, many may argue that an honest person shall never conceal the truth and lie. In fact, it is a misconception of honesty. Take an every occurrence for example, gentlemen usually flatter ladies: “you are so beautiful!” or, “you look great in this dress!” Although such compliments are usually matched up to the complimenteds’ beauty, yet in many cases it is just a kind of politeness. It is always safe to praise a lady’s semblance even she is actually horrible-looking. Flattery is useful in many social occasions, it is an efficient way to gain favor with others. However, when you praise an ugly lady as “beautiful”, you are lying. Yet it is by no means to prove that you are a dishonest person. In some cultures, modesty is deemed a virtue. In China, this is common that someone may tell you that he/she just “know a little bit of something”, or “have a little bit of money”, yet actually he/she is an expert in the field or a millionaire.

Concealing truth in some certain occasion has nothing to do with one’s individual morality. In business negotiations or the international stage, the negotiators and or politicians are usually alert to conceal their real intension and confidential information, and in many cases they even give some false or misguided information. Nobody would associate such conducts with their personality. Rather, it is commonly deemed as “strategies’” or “tactics”.

However, actually these persons are the ones “lying” the most.

In conclusion, it is impossible and impracticable for one to be “absolutely honest”. Necessary lying is irreproachable provided it does no harm to others or conforms to the social norms.