Here is the question: Are there circumstances in which lying is justified, or must one tell the truth all the time? It is my opinion that there are circumstances where lying is justified. These times are few and far between, but there are times where it is better to lie.
Lying is generally bad and deceitful; however, I believe there are some specific exceptions to this rule. One of these exceptions is games where lying has been permitted. There are also times where exaggerating or under-exaggerating can help keep a situation from escalating without causing any harm. I also think that occasionally, a lie helps you keep a surprise a secret, so long as your intentions are good. It would be an unjustified lie to try to hide something that will hurt a person later, even if it’s just their feelings that are hurt. There is also the fact that sometimes if you are telling a story, a little bit of inaccuracy can save you from having to explain a lot of unnecessary detail.
There are a few small circumstances where I believe that lying can be justified, but these situations almost never occur. Try to tell the truth most of the time, but sometimes there are situations where it is better for you to tell a white lie, especially if it makes something better for others (like gifts and surprises). Finally, remember these words (the essay prompt for this essay): “A little inaccuracy saves a world of explanation.” –C.E.Ayers