What is a human without humanity? Nothing more than an animal.
From childhood itself, we have been taught millions of things that encourage us to develop our thoughts on humanity. Among those things, the most important thing is honesty.
We have been told that lying is wrong and we all have grown up believing, yet disregarding it.
Why Do We Lie?
We all have lied at some point in life. Some lies were for our own selfish reasons and some, not.
So, were all the lies an attack on our thoughts on humanity? Did they all make us a human without humanity?
Here are some situations when we all, almost always tell a lie without knowing for sure, if our thoughts on humanity are being challenged:
-
- When someone asks how we are doing. We don’t constantly start ranting about our problems even though we may have many. We politely say that we are good.
- When in a formal setting, someone asks how they are looking. We don’t point out flaws in their attire or personality. We say they look nice, even if they don’t.
- In a tragic situation, we don’t just abruptly announce the news to the concerned party. We inform them gradually, one detail at a time, and sometimes even mix lies with truth to lessen the pain of listener, when possible.
To put it simply, we lie when truth isn’t good enough. Our lies are nothing but our attempt to shadow the truth when truth doesn’t seem to work in the situation.
When put this way, sometimes it does make a lying person appear a human without humanity.
Is Lying Challenging Thoughts on Humanity?
We develop our thoughts on humanity as we grow old. It’s a continuous process and requires constant learning and saves us from becoming a human without humanity.
Sometimes, we can’t decide if lying would challenge our thoughts on humanity or, in fact, align with them.
In such situations, where lying is the right thing to do, where lying can serve humanity, where lying aligns with our thoughts on humanity, we should lie. It doesn’t make us a human without humanity, only, a better one.
What are White Lies?
“I suppose everyone tells white lies. Quite often they are necessary to make someone feel better or prevent feelings from being hurt.”
― Richard Chamberlain
When I was 8 years old, one of my neighbour’s child passed away in a tragic accident. We were all at home at that time as it was a National holiday.
The mother got a call from the hospital saying that her child had been in an accident. She was not told that he had passed away before she reached the hospital.
It didn’t save the child. It didn’t save the mother from the tragic news. It didn’t lessen her pain. But, this white lie saved her from the sudden impact and allowed her some time to absorb what had happened.
Telling the truth to someone who isn’t ready for it can be dangerous sometimes. Such lies, which are told for the purpose of saving someone from harshness of the truth, or give them time to adjust to the situation before presenting the real case are called white lies.
Does Lying makes us a Human without Humanity?
A human without humanity isn’t one who lies, but one who doesn’t understand when is truth completely unnecessary and can hurt a person where he can be saved.
Our thoughts on humanity aren’t and can’t be challenged by lies, but only by our selfish motives behind those lies.
When we lie to save someone from unnecessary pain or control a situation, we aren’t a human without humanity, but just a person who is trying to make this world a better place.
Conclusion
“Little white lies are told by humans all the time. Indeed lying is how we get through each day in our happy little bubble. We spend time and energy rationalizing our own behaviors, beliefs and decision-making process.”
― Barry Ritholtz
Lying has been called a sin in the Bible. We have been taught that it is wrong. But, lying where it is absolutely necessary to improve a situation or save a person from unnecessary pain isn’t challenging the God or thoughts on humanity.
It doesn’t make us a human without humanity. That happens when we lie for our selfish reasons.
Lying can’t be justified, but it’s motive can be altered to serve humanity.
Share with us in the comment section, your thoughts regarding lies and your thoughts on humanity.
*****
Related Articles:
-
The Most Beautiful Deed: Helping Others by Having Selfless Attitude and Desire to Help
-
Logic Over Emotions Or The Vice Verse? In True Sense It’s The Blend Of Both
-
If You Don’t Like People, Express Your Dislike, But Do Not Ignore Their Existence
-
Delivering Opinions in a Pompous Way may Reveal Much About You
