Is it OK to tell a white lie?

White lies are often innocuous. We tell them to create a magical world for our children, or, more often, as a way to be polite and demonstrate social manners. Overall, white lies are for beneficial purposes. Being totally honest in some cases would create unpleasantness or be offensive.
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Is it ever okay to tell a lie?

While some may choose to stick with honesty as the best and only policy, if you do choose to tell a lie or skew the truth in some way, consider the following two factors: The size and intention of the lie — are your reason prosocial, paternalistic, or are they purely deceptive and malicious — and the potential ...
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Why are white lies acceptable?

White Lies Can Be Good…

A white lie, she explains, spares people from unnecessary hurt. People who tell them should be praised for their kindness and the good outcome that usually comes from not saying potentially hurtful comments.
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What to do if you told a white lie?

When are white lies appropriate?
  1. When in doubt, be kind. ...
  2. Think about timing. ...
  3. It's OK to provide less-than-honest reassurance. ...
  4. Ask the person for his or her preference on white lies. ...
  5. Assess your motivations. ...
  6. Don't lie if the person is likely to find out the truth. ...
  7. Be truthful if you want someone to change.
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What is considered a white lie?

Definition of white lie

: a lie about a small or unimportant matter that someone tells to avoid hurting another person He told a (little) white lie as his excuse for missing the party.
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Are White Lies Okay?



What is a pink lie?

which is not considered criminal; a falsehood rendered venial. or praiseworthy by its motive." I wish to advance the pink or rose-colored lie and define it as. an unconsciously untrue statement never considered blame- worthy.
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What are GREY lies?

Gray lies were said to consist of lies that were ambiguous in nature or held the characteristics of a real lie yet were still viewed as justifiable given the circumstance. These results, their practical and theoretical implications, and areas for future research are discussed.
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Are white lies a big deal?

White lies are actually extremely common in healthy relationships, according to Susan Orenstein, Ph. D, a licensed psychologist and relationship expert in Cary, N.C. Find encouragement and support through 1-1 messaging and advice from others dealing with major depressive disorder.
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What is a black lie?

Black lies, or telling a lie to gain a personal benefit, are universally condemned. In contrast, white lies, or telling a lie to please another person, are seen as an innocent part of everyday interactions.
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Is lying a sin?

One of the Ten Commandments is "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"; for this reason, lying is generally considered a sin in Christianity.
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What is a blue lie?

A blue lie is a form of lying that is told purportedly to benefit a collective or "in the name of the collective good". The origin of the term "blue lie" is possibly from cases where police officers made false statements to protect the police force, or to ensure the success of a legal case against an accused.
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Should I tell the truth even if it hurts someone?

Placing truth at a premium requires holding your own pain without medicating it, denying it, or projecting it onto someone else. You may find experiencing difficult feelings such as sadness, anger, and disappointment actually feels better than trying to fend off these feelings, which can lead to suffering.
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Is it OK to lie to save someone's feelings?

Lying to friends and family members may seem like a quick way to lose their trust, but new research suggests this may not always be the case. Lying for the right reasons, researchers found, can actually strengthen some social bonds.
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Is it okay to lie to your friends?

Lie and make it feel better. Don't lie to your friend if it's something that could be hurting them. But sometimes, you can make things easier with a little white lie and no one gets hurt.
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What does the Bible say about lies?

Passages in the Bible deal with God's concern about lying as found in Proverbs 12:22 — “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” — and in Proverbs 25:1: “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow ...
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Is it morally acceptable to lie?

Utilitarians base their reasoning on the claim that actions, including lying, are morally acceptable when the resulting consequences maximize benefit or minimize harm. A lie, therefore, is not always immoral; in fact, when lying is necessary to maximize benefit or minimize harm, it may be immoral not to lie.
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What is a yellow lie?

“A yellow lie is a lie about a big thing. But it's a lie that is important. It's a lie that is necessary to potentially save somebody's life. Y ellow lies can only be done if you really know the person who you're lying to.
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How do I become a good liar?

8 ways to be a better liar
  1. DO: Maintain your baseline. Stay calm. ...
  2. DON'T: Swallow hard. Swallowing hard is a giveaway. ...
  3. DO: Breathe normally. Inhale, exhale. ...
  4. DON'T: Touch your skin. Touching your skin is a giveaway. ...
  5. DO: Lean in. ...
  6. DON'T: Shorten the syntax of words. ...
  7. DO: Try not to sweat. ...
  8. DON'T: Say "I don't lie"
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Can white lies break trust?

Trust can be a big problem if you start lying with simple white lies. If you lie about the small things, your partner will question the truth behind everything you say.
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Is it okay to lie about your past?

In short, lying about significant life events isn't good for you, your partner, or your relationship. Instead, be honest about your history. After all, the first step to learning from your mistakes is acknowledging them.
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Why do I tell small lies?

People who lie repeatedly often have a desire to be in control. When the truth of a situation doesn't agree with such control, they produce a lie that does conform to the narrative they desire. Such people may also worry they won't be respected if the truth can leave them looking poorly.
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What are the 5 types of lie?

Interview and Interrogation Training: The Five Types of Lies
  • Lies of Denial. This type of lie will involve an untruthful person (or a truthful person) simply saying that they were not involved.
  • Lies of Omission. ...
  • Lies of Fabrication. ...
  • Lies of Minimization. ...
  • Lies of Exaggeration.
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What words do liars use?

There are a few telltale phrases that signal someone might be lying.
...
4. Overemphasizing their trustworthiness: "To be honest."
  • "To be honest"
  • "To tell you the truth"
  • "Believe me"
  • "Let me be clear"
  • "The fact is"
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What is a serious lie?

We believe that serious lies are told when the truth would threaten something valuable to the liar, such as an important relationship. Close personal relationships are generally more valuable than casual ones, and therefore in greater need of protection.
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