How we lie

Lying is the best form of deception. As much as we all hate to be deceived, we do it on a daily basis to others with the little lies we tell. We lie so much that sometimes, we do not know we are telling a lie.

Nobody can claim to have stayed a day without lying. It is even recorded that the holiest person tells at least seven lies a day.

This vice is one that has, from the beginning of time, caused chaos in every facet of our existence. Homes have been broken through lies; friends lost through lies; careers shattered through lies and the list goes on.


The truth is not easy; and like Oscar Wilde said: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple”. Sometimes, we swear to tell the truth knowing that even that is a lie. This is because lies are easier to say than the truth. Lies tend to avert some disasters but when it has piled, can erupt without warning.

When a husband and wife cannot bring themselves to tell each other the truth but lie at the slightest provocation, that marriage is headed for the rocks. Same goes for people still at the dating stage.

When kids grow up in a home where a glaring truth is cloaked in the darkest lie by either of the parents, they imbibe the norm. Gradually, they impact the vice to their peer and it keeps spreading. And when they have their own kids, they will not hesitate to inculcate the character in; because that is the only way of life they’ve known.

No one is innocent of this attitude and saying you do not lie is just another lie on its own. In our day to day dealings with people, we find ourselves lying. We however have reasons to justify that lie. Either we lie to save our necks; or we lie to protect those we love. Some people lie to avoid quarrels while a few others lie to progress in life. Whatever the reason, we all are guilty of lying.

In reality, this vice has no known cure. We can only try our best to check mate it. Here are a few pointers that may help:

 - Create an environment filled with honesty. Be the first to tell the truth in your dealings with people because sometimes, when you are always truthful to someone, they’ll reciprocate.

 - Try to say the truth no matter how hard it is. Play out the worst possible scenario your lie will cause in your head. Prepare yourself for whatever comes out of it, knowing you are doing the right thing.

 - The truth may/will hurt the other party, but eventually they’ll appreciate you for damning the consequences and telling the truth.

 - Let us appreciate it when we are being told the truth. If we do not, people will not want to tell us the truth but lie because that is what they know we would prefer.

 - Those who find themselves lying compulsively can begin by telling the truth in very minor issues. Then gradually get to that point when the truth isn’t that hard a pill to swallow.

These suggestions are not a sure-bet to put an end to this vice, but it’s surely a step in the right direction.