I agree that sometimes it is better not to tell the truth. In some cases the truth is going to hurt someone’s feeling and no good will be gained by it. In such a case, I don't think that person should tell the truth. On the other hand, there are times when a person needs to know the truth in order to make an important decision. There are also times when telling the truth is necessary to help someone who is suffering from a problem; however, there also can be a disadvantage from telling the truth.
There’s a ‘teller circulation’, which means, if someone has said something dirty about a person, those words shouldn’t be repeated. However, what if a person has told a shameful secret to friends and one friend has told the secret to others? Then the person needs to know that she can't trust her friend. Otherwise, the friend could tell other people other secrets.
What if someone is doing something self-destructive, like partying all night in college instead of studying? Then one needs to be told that this behavior is concern to his friends who care about him. However, if he skips class and the teacher asks his friend why he isn't there, it’s not necessary for the friend to tell the truth. He doesn't have to, but he also doesn't have to give information about his friend's behavior.
Sometimes, people need to know the truth before they can make an important decision. Suppose you're selling your house and you know there's something that needs to be fixed in your house. Then, you should tell the truth about that to anyone interested in buying your house. If you don’t, you could be in trouble legally as well as ethically! However, you don't need to tell the truth about the cranky neighbor who lives next door. The neighbor may not be as cranky with someone else as he was with you. Sometimes it’s better not to tell the truth. |