Truthfulness in statements which cannot be avoided is the formal duty of an individual to everyone, however great may be the disadvantage accruing to himself or to another. –Kant
Good morning Gentle Reader. I concluded my last post with a question: Must we conclude that every lie has this affect? [‘This effect’ has to do with the harm done to the Liar and to the Deceived.]
What about those who tell what we call ‘White Lies’? Does lying hurt them in the same way? As I reflect upon this I find it difficult to defend this notion. I agree that no one trivial lie undermines the Liar’s integrity. However the issue for Liars is that they tend to see most of their lies in this graceful light. Thus they underestimate – often vastly underestimate – the risks involved. There is a risk in many lies – the risk of harm done to the Liar and to the Deceived.
Why might this be so? Well, Gentle Reader, consider this: The risks of harm are increased simply because so few lies are solitary, one-off lies. It is easy to tell a lie AND it is challenging to tell only one lie. Consider that the ‘first lie’ must be quilted together with another lie and then with another lie until a solid quilt is constructed. More lies are needed and so is more ‘mending.’
The strains on the Liar increase with each lie. Lying also requires that the Liar develop an excellent memory in order to keep one’s untruths woven together; a single thread that breaks might cause the whole Liar’s Quilt to come undone. Consider the sheer energy required in order to keep one ‘Lying Quilt’ intact.
We have also learned that after the first lies are put into the world that others come more easily. Spiritual and Psychological barriers are worn down and eventually replaced with the Liar’s Barriers. In addition, the ability to make moral distinctions erodes. The Liar’s perception of his/her chances of being caught will also warp.
The Liar’s behavior is also affected, often in subtle ways. Others find themselves trusting the Liar less even if the Liar has not been outed. Highly intuitive people will notice this erosion of credibility before others – and although they won’t understand it they will trust their intuition.
Of course, it is inevitable that the more one lies the more likely he/she will be outed as a Liar. When outed, the Liar – most Liars it seems – will regret the damage done to his/her credibility and to his/her integrity.
AN ASIDE: The word ‘integrity’ comes from the same roots which have formed ‘intact’ and ‘untouched.’ ‘Integrity’ is used especially often in relation to truthfulness and fair dealing and reflects, it seems to me, the view that by lying one hurts oneself. The notion of the self-destructive aspects of doing wrong is part of all faith, philosophic and humanistic traditions. Consider one: The Chinese Sage, Mencius. ‘Every man has within himself these four beginnings [of humanity, righteousness, decorum, wisdom]. The man who considers himself incapable of exercising them is destroying himself.’
To be continued next time. . .
Searcher-Seeker 