Why do people feel the need to lie?

Published on July 22, 2004 By Janders In Misc

I have been thinking about this a lot lately and after reading some of Dharma's articles where she referenced peole woh "B.S." I had to give my 2 cents.

Why do people feel the need to lie, to tell half truths and make up stories? Do they realize that no good comes of it? How do you benefit?

I think that lying is the ultimate for of disrespect. Not only to the person(s) you are lying to, but to your self. Why can't you be yourself? Why do you have to lie?

Is it a self defense? Like a small child caliming they didn't color on the wall, while the crayons are still in their hands?

Is it immaturity? That you can't handle the realities of life?

Is it denial? DO you say so many lies that they become reality to you. Is "real life" to hard so you must make up your own existence?

I hate lying. If someone asks my opinion, such as "how does this look" I won't lie. I will say I don't care for it. So even little whit lies that may not hurt anybody seem unnecesscary. Why get into that habit?

Do you tolerate liers?

How do you feel when someone lies to you? I feel betrayed, and can not trust them at ALL.

Do you lie? Even little white lies? Why?

I just don't get why people feel the need to lie.

Comments (Page 2)

Floozie

on Jul 22, 2004

Look at me causing problems

Maybe, secretly, I do want someone to tell me that?

dharmagrl

on Jul 22, 2004

However, if their delusion, lies, idiocy start affecting me then I have to stomp on them

The lie that I think is being perpetrated around here has yet to affect me personally, so I'm going to let the person doing it carry on and lie themselves into a corner instead of confronting them about it.

Besides, I think we're all on the same page and are mostly of the same opinion about the situation. We all suspect what the truth is, put it that way.

Kayles

on Jul 22, 2004

Besides, I think we're all on the same page and are mostly of the same opinion about the situation. We all suspect what the truth is, put it that way.

I think the perpetrator is bored with the lie as well, I haven't seen much action lately.......

Manopeace

on Jul 22, 2004

Liars eventuallty trip up cause they have to contantly have to lie to over themselves. Once that happens...just make it know to them that they have no credability with you any longer. If enough people do this to them they might be cured of their habit.

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Jul 22, 2004

I have never told a lie in my life, I plan to continue this programme of honesty for the good of England and the empire!

CS Guy

on Jul 22, 2004

The problem with consistent lying is this, sooner or later you will be caught and called on it.

A couple of quotes from Isaac Asimov's Foundation's Edge:

"To know when a truth will do is admirable, since no non-truth can be presented with the same sincerity."

"The closer to the truth, the better the lie, and the truth itself, when it can be used, is the best lie."

dharmagrl

on Jul 22, 2004

I think the perpetrator is bored with the lie as well, I haven't seen much action lately

I think she might have realized that we know and is afraid to write anything else.

I'm not going to start any confrontations....I'm just going to ignore it.

Kayles

on Jul 22, 2004

That's what I said at the beginning, but what about all of the people on here who have truly "lost sleep" over this, and the young people who have been "duked"? I don't think it's right to play on people's emotions like that.

Poetmom99

on Jul 22, 2004

Is it immaturity in the case you are refering to? Probably so.

Probably so....but that's still no excuse, IMO.

I think the perpetrator is bored with the lie as well, I haven't seen much action lately.......

We can only hope that the perpetrator is bored and will leave not so well enough alone from this point forward.

That's what I said at the beginning, but what about all of the people on here who have truly "lost sleep" over this,

I know what you mean....but IMO we each have to deal with the situation as we see fit. I think the perpetrator knows that we know, as Karen said, and when the situation doesn't get any more blog space (as I hope it will not), then perhaps those who have yet to discover the deception will get a clue.

Janders

on Jul 23, 2004

Wow.. I leave for work, come back and all heck has broken loose!

You all rock... No Lie (pun intended)

I am feeling like most of us are on the same page. As far as telling the truth goes I think I do it respectfully and tactfully.

ex: Does this make my butt look big? Me: I think this syle would look great on you.

I appreciate when I ask my husband if he likes somthing and he tells me the truth. Even when what he tells me is it doesn't look so great. It makes me feel he trusts me well enoguh and respects me enough to tell the truth. I appreciate it.

I hate even white lies, they are just a step closer to other lies.

Janders

on Jul 23, 2004

Oh yeah.... and thank you ALL for your comments......

Mr Right0313

on Jul 26, 2004

To All, and to original author;

Speaking from the perspective of someone who has lied (everyone has) but also on a more personal note someone who has lied to their wife (the above original author) I cannot completely say why someone would do this. I cannot say why I have done it. At certain times, especially difficult times, it has been too difficult for me to be a bearer of bad news, although she has proven she can handle anything. She is a strong, wonderful person, someone I have proven unworthy of. However that has been one of the most marvelous things I love about her, the fact that she proves her strength and resilency. I have feared she cannot handle bad news, so I lie, or ommit, as to not compound the current pain or frustration. However that has proven to be evidence of my cowardice, more then me "sparing" her pain. She has proven to be stronger then I, or many people, give her credit for. So this can be my only, although admittedly very partial explanation for lying. It's rarely to spare someone else, because they, as my wife has proven can handle the situation, it is because the speaker, the holder of the truth, is too afraid to reveal it. This is something, a very valuable truth that I have come to realize, much in part to this discussion about the truth, and what can and cannot constitute reasons for lying. I should never have lied to her, because I respect her, but that is the reason, I didn't respect her strength. For that I was very wrong, and very dissapointed in myself. I shall never make that mistake again.

Sincerely,

Mr. Right (but not all the time)

vikram_d84

on Jul 26, 2004

Lies help in maintaining world peace! Infact, I feel its the worlds favourite recipe ...

and mr. right ... you've got ur ticket to heavens ... congrats!!!

messybuu

on Jul 27, 2004

I must lie because the world cannot accept me for who I am. I'll also lie if it gets me out of an undesirable situation as quickly as possible.

Janders

on Jul 27, 2004

Why deny yourself to the world. Lying is a poor defense method, it will only get you in more trouble.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!