Do Lies Matter?

 I have written about lying in this blog in the past, but the common acceptance of it continues to trouble me.  A study at the University of Massachusetts found that 60% of people cannot go 10 minutes without lying at least once.  A study at the University of Virginia found that people are more likely to lie over the phone than in person, and another study found people were more likely to lie to strangers.  The list of reasons range from protecting themselves or others, gaining social acceptance, avoiding the consequences of illegal or disreputable activity, and to gain an advantage, to maintain privacy, and to avoid looking foolish or ignorant.  

The studies I read did not seem to include internet lying.  If people are more likely to lie over the telephone than in person, I would assume than lying on the internet is even more common.  Some of the reasons seem more understandable than others, but from my perspective, the acceptance of lying is disheartening.  Many famous people have expressed their concerns and disapproval about lying.  However, as I share some of their comments, you will notice that many of those I quote are long dead!  Do modern commentators find lying less disreputable? 

Here are some thought provoking quotes:

He who tells a lie is not sensible to how great a task he undertakes, for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain that one. Alexander Pope, 1688-1744, English Poet and Translator. 

Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.  Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomate, printer, publisher and political philosopher.

It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.  Noel Coward, 1899-1973, English Playwright, composer, director, actor, singer.

The cruelest lies are often told in silence.  Robert Lewis Stevenson, 1859-1894, Novelist essayist, poet, and travel writer.

I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.  Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900, German Philosopher, prose poet, critic, philologist, and composer.

A good liar knows that the most effective lie is always a truth that has had a key piece removed from it.  Carlos Ruiz Aafon, Spanish Novelist, 1964-2020, and author of one of my favorite books, The Shadow of the Wind.

And, continuing with two living authors, I don't like lies...even lies of omission.  Hard truths can be delt with, triumphed over, but lies will destroy your soul.  Patricia Briggs, American author of fantasy.

The trust of the innocent is the liar's most useful tool.  Stephen King, American author of Supernatural fiction, suspense, and crime.

I believe lies do matter, and I fear that the disrespect for truthfulness is a threat to the Nation.  George Washington was known for his firm moral conscience.  His leadership as our first President was very important to the young nation and what he helped shape in those first years.  For 200 years, he was known for his honesty as a little boy for admitting to his father that he was the one who cut down the cherry tree.  That story of a little boy who 'could not tell a lie' became a part of what was expected for our leadership and for its citizens.  

The irony is that an itinerate minister named Mason Locke Weems, set out to make Washington a role model for young men by mythologizing young Washington's life.  For over 200 years, the story of chopping down the cherry tree was taken as fact.  The myth that Weems created almost certainly would have displeased Washington, whose integrity should have given Weems many accurate examples to describe Washington's honesty and sense of responsibility, rather than inventing a false story.    

 I believe neglect of telling the truth matters, and I have chosen to share the words quoted above to express my feelings about that importance.  Our justice system depends on people willing to tell the truth.  Those we elect to office are expected to honor the oath of office they have taken.  Contracts mean nothing if those who enter into them have no intention of honoring what they have contracted to do. Reflecting on whether lies matter seems important to me.