<p>Is honesty the best policy?</p>
<p>At times it might seem very tempting to get out of an obligation or responsibility, or just to ‘make things easier’, by not telling the truth. However, although small lies might get us out difficult situations once in a while, they are not the ultimate harbingers of an easy situation, as most of the times they end up putting us in situations worse than the situation before. It is, therefore, best to remain truthful at all times, not only to retain one’s values, but also to evade worse scenarios. The following incidents illustrate how.</p>
<p>A day before a due assignment, one of my best friends asked me to check his essay before he turned it in. I read it, and it was horrible. Knowing that my friend would ask me for help if I told him the truth, I lied to him because I was busy with my own work. He submitted the assignment, and I felt pleased with myself, thinking that I had successfully dodged some extra work. I was wrong. After the teacher graded the assignments and returned them, my friend was shocked to see the ‘D’ grade he received. He found out that I had lied to him when he saw my ‘A’. Voicing his revelation of betrayal to me, he discontinued his friendship with me. It can be seen here that by lying to my friend, I lost both my credibility and my best friend. Now I could never ask my friend for help with my math homework because he had found out that I had betrayed him. Had I not lied, I would have had to do just a little more work, but I wouldn’t have lost my friend.</p>
<p>A similar example can be seen in the Lewinsky scandal. President Clinton denied that he had engaged in inappropriate relationships with his secretary after the media found some evidence about their relationship. However, after conclusive evidence was provided by the secretary herself, the president was forced to confess to the nation that he had lied to them before. This resulted in charges of dishonesty against him , which later deprived him on the account of his dishonesty. Has the president been honest and apologized to the nation, he wouldn’t have had to vacate his office. However, his dishonesty didn’t get him out of his trouble and it resulted in a situation in which he could not be vindicated by a simple confession.</p>
<p>Although choosing to be dishonest in order to elude an apparent difficulty can sometimes work, most of the times, it results in a disaster. Lies can seldom be hidden, and it is therefore unwise to take chances by lying and putting one’s reputation at stake. Speaking the truth is the best honesty as it a fool proof alternative that keeps a person out of trouble.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>