“Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.”
-- or when I reiterated the view in this line:
“When a friend needs consolation, nothing will keep so well until tomorrow as the truth.”
But twice I have seen the first line debated in internet chatrooms, the verdict each time being that telling a falsehood is always bad, opening a Pandora’s Box to all manner of disaster. How do I respond to this? I respond by coming down coming squarely on the side of kindness. I believe this puts me on the side of the God of both testaments of the Judaeo-Christian tradition, – the God who gave us the Ten Commandments and the God who gave us the Sermon on the Mount.
To my ear, the commandment against lying seems to have been carefully crafted to exclude the lie of kind intent: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” The God of Moses had no trouble with clarity. He was explicit in saying “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not steal,” these being clear assaults against one’s neighbor. But had He said, “Thou shalt not lie,” his law might have been construed to condone an assault of truth against one’s neighbor. Instead, His commandment puts the emphasis clearly on the consideration of our neighbor’s welfare. The short form of the commandment is not “Thou shalt not lie” but “Thou shalt not harm thy neighbor by thy word.” It is a corollary to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ spoke of those “who say all manner of evil against you falsely.” He did not condemn those who say all manner of good of you, in the interest of your welfare, be it false or otherwise. Here is the God who reduced the commandments to two: Love thy God and Love thy neighbor. In giving us the beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful…,” did He intend to exclude from the merciful those who bend the truth so as not to hurt their neighbor?
I think of it this way – there is a distinction between the facts that we discern as truth, and the Eternal Truth which is God Himself, to whom our only allegiance is owed, and who has provided us the model of kindness and understanding that should inform our lives. And so, for myself at least, the rule is simple:
“Love thy neighbor, and if it requires that you bend your understanding of the truth, the Truth will understand.”
-- Robert Brault
14 comments:
Right on!
You must know I'd have to comment on this one. I have a strong acceptance of what is right and wrong...and I find your 'bending' of the truth compassionate, caring, and so very 'right'.
I know of no one who has not 'bent' the truth, and often just to benefit themselves. Can anyone honestly say they've never expressed an untruth of any kind? I have my doubts...
The sparing of one's heart and soul an ounce of pain by far outweighs the trangression of the lie. Sometimes, the truth is too ruthless to express...and serves no purpose.
Your last thought says it all...eloquently, compassionately, and truthfully...
Your friend,
Mattie
Mattie is spot on...as you are. Is she a fellow writer or poet I wonder.
'The sparing of one's heart and soul' etc! is a very quotable quote in itself.
Marlene, thanks so much. I encourage everyone to take a peek at that lighthouse painting that is on your blog today. What a treat!
Mattie, I have not seen a post from you in a long while, and I assume that you are fighting a daily battle for your health. You have my fervent prayer. Thanks for your eloquent comment, and please note the comment from Ken Devine, my British friend (who is soon to be relocating to Brittany, in France.)
Ken, Greetings! Mattie is indeed a fellow writer and quotesmith -- and a poet, par excellence. You might click on her name and heck out her blogs.
smiles to all,
rb
Ken,
Well, you could "heck" out Mattie's blogs, just for a lark, but "checking" them out would be better.
oops,
rb
One of my favorite quotes attributed to Fred Astaire:
"Before I speak, I always ask myself 'is it kind, is it neccessary, is it true?' After that, of course, I keep my mouth shut."
I've always told my kids that something must be 2 out of 3 in order for them to say it. It's solved a lot of conflict in our home.
Some things are just better left unsaid. But I agree with you....I'd rather err on the side of kindness and compassion than speak what I percieve to be the truth.
Liz,
You inspire two quotes for which you deserve credit. (Quote Garden, perhaps you might be interested.)
"To err on the side of kindness is seldom an error." -- Liz Armbruster.
"In what you say of another, apply the test of kindness, necessity and truth, and let nothing pass your lips without a 2/3 majority."
-- Liz Armbruster
smiles,
rb
Christina,
You write well, and you have much to say, so don't hesitate on that score. If you intend the book for your family and friends, and you can afford its publication, then by all means go ahead. Beyond that, you might have two goals: to reach a slightly larger audience or to enjoy a commercial success. The first requires that you promote the book yourself -- no publisher you pay will promote it for you --their profits come from your fee, not from the sales of your book. The second -- a commercial success -- requires that you find a publisher who will publish your book at his own cost, even pay you an advance. This publisher will then promote your book.
In sum, be very clear on your goal. If you seek a wide audience, be prepared to literally devote your life to the promotion of your book.
good luck,
rb
Bravo! I could not agree more. It is more harmful to be unkind in order to preserve truth than it is to lie in order to be kind. (Did the Bible not mention Rahab lying to the soldiers who were searching for the spies?Joshua 1-6) That story always perplexed me as a child. And I like how you explained about bearing false witness - shows intent. I do not see God as an unkind being as it is said "God is love." The spirit of love tries everything in it's power not to hurt another. I found your site on quotegarden and I am so glad I did. Thank you for being kind and for being a living reminder to others to be kind.
V.V.
V.V.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Please don't think that I offer myself as a model of kindness. I am just as derelict as anyone else when it comes to practicing what I preach.
smiles,
rb
I was so happy to read this post today because like you, I feel that telling a white lie is much kinder to the other person. Brutal honesty has more to do with brutality than honesty.
Lolita
Haloranch,
Your line, "Brutal honesty has more to do with brutality than honesty" is not only a true sentiment but a model of how to express a thought in quotable form. You have a good ear.
smiles,
rb
This is one of my favorite quotes. I try practing kindness everyday, some are harder than others and sometimes I fail. I love reading your quotes and use them often on FB to inspire, and express myself and have found I often have inspired others by passing yours and others quotes along. Thank you very much.
Lisa Stanley
Lisa,
This is one of my favorites, too, and I'm so pleased you like it. The idea that I inspire anyone is pretty overwhelming. Thanks.
smiles,
rb
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