Is Truth Always the Better Option? (Essay Sample)

John Kigo
Professor Miles
English
12th August 2014
Is truth always the better option?
From a tender age, majority of the people are nurtured to always consider telling the truth as a primary trait in one’s life. However, as one matures, they lie at one point or another. Most of us even make deception as part and parcel of the wellbeing. While the most cardinal thing to do is to be perpetually honest, in that respect it is the most daunting task to do. I concretely believe that telling the truth consistently is not entirely the better option. The reasons are premised on the following aspects.
Telling a lie may save an individual’s life (Clerk 1990). Numerous research conducted by psychologist have demonstrated to us that good psychological health does have a huge positive impact on patients. For example, a friend of mine was diagnosed with a dreadful disease; the doctor opined that he could not live for more than nine months. His parents ignored the doctor’s advice and instead lied to him that he was on the road to recovery. Consequently, the patient was overwhelmed with joy, keen on his diet he took the drugs that were prescribed by the doctor. After one month he recovered greatly and was able to leave the hospital. In a nut shell, not being able to tell the truth has saved my friend’s life and strengthened his family ties.
Another vital reason is that good friendship can be maintained by not telling the truth. As a habit, friends do spend time together and exchanging ideas. By taking friends’ opinions seriously all the time, it may endanger a relationship. For instance, I and my friend go for shopping once in a while and she often asks for my opinion in regards to whether the clothes she has bought fit her or not. Of course, I am aware that she really wants to attend prom, looking gorgeous and it is not my desire to hinder her participation. For our friendship sake, I have to tell her that the clothes do look good with her, though in reality it is not of a good value. These insubstantial lies do not bring any strains in our friendship but draws us closer.
Another valid reason for lying is that it is ingrained in our traditions (Ariely 2013). Most parents lie to their children that the presents found under the fir-tree are always left by Santa Clause when everyone was in b...