Does Honesty Still Mean Anything?
I was brought up to believe that it is wrong to lie and wrong to steal. In fact, it was wrong to do anything that could classify as being dishonest. That was the general consensus for as far as my world stretched.
But times have changed. My own clan is less honest that what they used to be and I have come to realize that not all cultures have the same opinion about honesty. It seems that in some cultures honesty is seen as being downright stupid. A recent incident shook my foundations.
A man was knocked over by a car and unconscious on the ground. I watched as another man removed his expensive Nikes. At first I thought he was helping the man on the ground but then I realized that he was stealing his shoes. When I addressed the man he told me to mind my own business. I looked around and ask a woman why she allows her own people to be robbed like that. She pointed to the man on the ground and said that he won’t be needing shoes for a while and all his kinsmen nodded in agreement.
So it appears that stealing is okay if the owner does not need the item for a while.
In my life I have heard several blatant lies just to secure a loan. My gardener, still half drunk, once told me on a Monday morning that his wife, who also worked for me, died and that he needs money for the funeral. Yet a week later they both reported back for work. When I confronted them about it, they said they needed the money. And that was a lie as well, they wanted the money to get drunk for longer. In fact all I did was to finance a week-long party.
And so it appears that it is okay to lie if you need (or just want) something.
If the need for something became an acceptable excuse to lie and steal then I wonder if it still pays to be honest. There are a lot of things I need or want. How long before the ability to cheat somebody else out of his hard-earned money becomes something to be proud of?
Hey, look out! that is the weekend flashing up front.
Comments (57)
A lie is bad enough but these days, some people feel proud when they lie and get away with it. No shame or guilt anymore.
It's great to see you back.
Yep, I was raised the same way....honesty is always the best policy and that's how I have raised my children.
Some people seem to have no conscience when it comes to telling whoppers and porkies.
If I have told a little white lie.....I get the guilts and have to go back later and set it right....True....
Yes! I Know Right.
If that same situration had of happen to them. ( Something being stolen from them. And they knew someone or many people were watching. They would want that person/ people to tell the Police or whomever what had happen to them.
Those Kind Of People Is A Trip!
The smaller lies just lead to bigger lies.
I had someone tell me one time that I was too honest and I just looked at them and smiled.At least I can sleep with both my eyes closed and I don't need to have a very good memory of what I said.
I can't say that I have never told a lie, but I consciously try to stick to the truth. Sometimes it just slips out and afterwards you wonder why the hell did you say a thing like that. But like you I feel guilty as hell afterwards.
Those two people that work for you!
Sooner or later! You can tell them on payday. That! There is no pay for them for that period. Because they were already paid in advance! When the wife had falsely died earlier.
I Bectcha! They Want Try That Anymore. If so, you ask to see the body first before you give them any type of money____
Right. A lie is a lie and even the smallest lie often needs another to cover it up. As you said, in the end it is just a collection of lies.
But worries me most is how easily dishonesty can be condoned as a way to get out of trouble.
I solved it sweetly. The wife left straight away. I told her that I cannot employ dead people. He had to sign an IOU with permission to take it off his pay every week. He still worked for me for many years after that until he qualified for an old-age grant. I don't think he ever lied to me again.
Got dog!________
Well done!___
Many ways to kill a cat, even if you have to repeat it nine times.
My elder brother is completely and utterly brutally honest to the core. If I'm not in the mood to hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth about something I may or may not have done.....I steer well clear of him...
I'm not justifying white lies, but somehow The blog has deviated from the actual lie that inflicts damage. Like to tell a lie to cover up a crime or to tel a lie in order to defraud somebody. My big problem with the white lie is that it pave the way to tell bigger lies later.
By the way, you will have to do something about your hair. Everybody is walking around with that hairstyle lately. And a little makeup will not do any harm either.
<<<<<<< I dunno if that's an improvement.
Wonderful what a bit of make-up and a new hairstyle can do.
I don't believe in lying either. I was raised to tell the truth. In my life, I have found that people who lie, cannot be trusted. It is a real character flaw!
your Blog is on the point,you got my respect
Rolf
Sorry for dropping you in midair. My dog took me for a walk that turn into a marathon.
I often go guilty of telling only half the truth. And I will from some times avoid the issue by saying 'I don't know' or 'I did not look at it yet' to avoid arguments. Some people get upset when they don't like the reply to their questions.
My grandmother used to say that lie and steal were brothers.
Thank you. Honesty, these days, seems to be old-fashioned, belonging to our age.
It'so sad to read that but it's true, and we all see situations like these almost every day, but the good news is that still there are good and decent people around us, with values. So yes, honesty still means something and for me is absolutely essential - no matter if we speak about friendship, realationship or proffesional life.If someone is dishonest with me, this person can't be part of my life anymore simply because he will lie again for sure and also because the trust is lost already.
About the situation with your gardener...i can't find a word about that !!!!!!
But you know what they say : Honesty is a very expensive gift, don't expect it from cheap people !
So cheers, we can drink for Honesty and for the Weekend of course,it's coming
A nice evening to all ! :)
Wanted to add something. Lying has no boundaries. President Obama and Hillary Clinton lied their butts off trying to do a Benghazi cover up! Of course they have no shame!
As the saying goes: "lie to me once, shame on you!"
"lie to me twice, shame on me!"
Cheers my friend!
Thank you for your view. I think we are in agreement.
I have this thing about trust. I'm prepared to trust anybody until they lie to me. From then on, I simply don't trust them anymore.
1. It is okay for me to lie to you, as long as I feel the lie is acceptable.
2. It is not okay for you to lie to me under any circumstances.
3. A lie is not a lie if you get away with it.
Trust no-one, check everything, and expect the worst of everyone. You might be pleasantly surprised, but don't expect to be.
In summary - 'I know you're lying, I can see your lips moving.'
But politicians don't count. They may lie. It is tradition.