Art Of Lying

How do you interpret the ninth commandment, “thou shalt not bear false witness?” Should the commandment be updated to read, “Never lie to important people, about important things?” Do circumstances define a lie? Are there circumstances where a lie is superior to the truth? Does everyone lie frequently, without typically thinking of their lies as morally wrong? Is there raw truth to Mark Twain’s essay, On The Decay Of The Art Of Lying? www.online-literature.com/wilde/1320/
Should lies be told “thoughtfully” and “ judiciously,” as proposed in the penultimate paragraph? Is lying yet another way ... to improve silence?

Haha I really liked the post title ;)

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How do you interpret the ninth commandment, “thou shalt not bear false witness?”

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The Ninth commandment reminds me of school rules. I dislike any rules that tells me NOT TO. I much prefer advice that tells HOW TO. Anyway for me this means do not pretend to be someone else or hide under someone's else's identity to pretend something. Pseudonym comes to mind.

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Should the commandment be updated to read, “Never lie to important people, about important things?”

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Absolutely not. Important People? how about just people. Anyway it is impossible to predict when one is going to make up a story or lie and so to prepare for it under a rule is pointless and ridiculous.

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Are there circumstances where a lie is superior to the truth?

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No. There is no superiority or inferiority here. What there is what you think is right at the time.

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Does everyone lie frequently, without typically thinking of their lies as morally wrong?

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Yep we all lie that is life. Frequently? It all depends on the circumstances and how well mature and confident we are with who we are. Morality is nothing to do with it. Ditch morality and stick to what you think is right.

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Should lies be told “thoughtfully” and “ judiciously,” as proposed in the penultimate paragraph? Is lying yet another way ... to improve silence? Posting Permissions

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This is just another essay with unrealistic view on life and people. Lying is nothing to do with silence it is do with running away form one's self. The lied to is either indifferent or clever and so detects the lies and the one that makes up the lie is either clever at it or bad. It depends on the person and why they lie. Lying is about being afraid of something and so it is entirely self reluctancy and not knowing how to express one's position or views.
Lying is down to communication and so when one does not know how to go about something instead of explaining how it is they make up a story. Lying is story telling and it is up to the listener to figure out the lies from the truth.

"Lying is about being afraid of something" ... now that's the truth ... or at least the poetic truth :)

Great post. Your thoughts helped clarify mine, especially the distinction between conscience and morality.

I typically interpret the ninth commandment during schizophrenic hallucinations but that is for a whole 'nother topic. Sometimes lying is important to stay alive and there ain't nuthin' morally wrong with staying alive. Just think about that the next time your girl asks if she's the only one.

Well said, and, honestly, I hope she tells me a kind lie back when I ask her the same question :)

When I was a kid I always interpretted that as not to lie on the witness stand or when it could impact my neighbors life/livelihood. I still think that's a pretty good interpretation.

As do I. There's a lot of gray before you hit those limits. Hard to define, but you know it when you see it (hear it) (say it). Yes ... like pornography :) As Cacian suggested, one's conscience is always there, like arms and eyes, to guide. I like her thought that the listener has a role in the analysis, as well. Half truths, spoken by pernicious design, in my own experience, are often more misleading and disquieting than the brazen-faced (good ol' fashioned) lie.