When I saw this game show advertised on television, my first thought was, “Yes, you would if you thought you could get away with it.” If you are a politician, the answer is “of course”.

A local attorney says that he would not lie to you. He might tell you things that you do not wish to hear, but he will not lie to you. Falsehood is at epidemic proportions. There is no vaccine to prevent it. There is not a medication that will help those who seem to be infected with it.

The best of us do it. We even have a holiday to celebrate it and we call it April Fool’s Day. It is celebrated on April the first. Playing jokes on others is lying. Yes, we all do it. The problem is knowing when to tell the truth and when a lie is the kinder alternative.

Gentlemen do not tell your wife that it isn’t the dress when she asks if it makes her look fat. Many of us have problems with self-image. That statement will not help. I always tell my wife that she is beautiful in my eyes. She has never agreed with me. It is the truth whether she accepts it or not.

I recently finished a book that discussed dealing with those who have lost touch with reality. This may be due to dementia or mental illness. Either way, the kind thing to do is to not confront someone with the straight truth. If they ask where they are and you know the answer will upset them, tell the truth in love. You are where you need to be right now.

When will their spouse come to see them? Soon is an answer that should work. Often the loved one is the one they asked the question of. It hurts that they don’t recognize you, but it may be kinder than reminding them they have forgotten.

My memory has never been perfect. I have many techniques I use to aid it. One is asking the person I am talking to what the word I am trying to think of is. Do not finish my sentence for me. Paul tells us that love is patient and kind. Being patient is kindness.

There are hundreds of other situations where the truth is not the best policy. A child may ask where Grandma has gone after she has died. If you don’t believe in Heaven or do not think she could possibly be admitted, tell the youngster that she is far away, and they should see them again. If they ask when say it will be a long time.

The answer to my question is yes. I would lie to you. If I thought the truth would hurt. I try not to lie to you for selfish reasons. Sometimes I even fail at that.

©Copyright 2023 by Charles Kensinger