The cardinal dogma of all religions is that one will always speak the truth, no matter what the circumstances are. Jerose in one of the quotes says, “Truth hurts only once but a lie hurts every time you remember it”. Unfortunately the world in which we live in, the line separating a lie and truth has been getting thinner and thinner and also blurred. To make a clear distinction between the two has become a herculean task. This is because whenever you speak the truth, it becomes mandatory on the part of the speaker to prove it by producing relevant evidence. Even the law courts will not accept your statement of truth, if you are not able to support it with appropriate factual proof.
Now coming to lies, what exactly does it mean? It is generally a ‘false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth, something intended or serving to convey a false message or impression’.
Although telling the truth gives a person peace of mind, sound sleep and stress free life, however telling a lie being contrary to our beliefs and ethics. Very often people resort to it with sinister intentions without any fear or remorse. Also experience has taught us that one can get quick personal gratification both financial and corporal by resorting to lies. Some people have become such experts that they have managed to master the art of lying: convincingly, confidently and without any shade of remorse.
In other words, these compulsive liars can tell ‘perfect lies’, that can have catastrophic effects on other individuals and the members of society specially when witnesses in the law courts turn hostile, hiding the truth by speaking lies, due to which the course of justice delivery is compromised and innocent people become victims and culprits go scot free.
It appears that truth has become a serious casualty in the present scheme of things while for some lies have become favourite tools to both young and old particularly law breakers, scamsters, cheaters, officials from the government, politicians and even elected representatives.
Also with the passage of time, people by constantly lying, get conditioned to this phenomenon and repeating lies so very often, eventually the concept of truth almost goes out of their minds. As a consequence the age old saying that “Truth ultimately triumphs” has lost its significance and importance. What a sad state of affairs!
Does it mean that truth will never take precedence over lies? There is always hope, provided parents, society and educational institutions take up seriously the issue of inculcating in the young formative minds of the children the importance by stressing on the potential benefits of telling the truth, because it is right. Similarly they highlight the immense injustice and disservice that is caused by lying which is wrong to the family, the society and finally to the nation. Again when one insists on always speaking the truth and nothing but the truth, definitely he/she will receive great appreciation, respect and admiration from everyone around them
Finally let’s ponder seriously about this famous quote by Khaled Hosseine “It’s better to be hurt by the truth than be comforted with a lie”.
