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Oxford Advanced Learners dictionary of current English defines lying as ‘to say something that one known is not true’. Hence lying is a conscious act, even for those compulsive and incorrigible liars that lie unconsciously because lying has become part of their system. Having integrated the wish to lie in their system, their unconscious recognizes it and it becomes manifested as a wish fulfillment.
Why people lie can be summarily stated as “to have a fear of the truth”. This is because to lie is to shun the truth. However, it isn’t just the truth they are afraid of but the consequence of the truth, which becomes imperative through acquiescence of evil. The fact remains that people will generally shun evil if they know they will ultimately say the truth. It is also true that liars are cowards afraid of the people they lie to or what those people will do if they say the truth. It can then be inferred that liars are not assertive. They prefer to hide behind lies rather then confront realities. Whatever reason that people may present for lying, there is no denying the fact that we lie when we want to lie. But is lying a leeway?
Contrary to popular opinion lying rather than truth is the real hard work. Lying involves an investment of energy due to the mental alertness that propagates it. The need to have a fall back lie, makes it necessary to be up an alert in telling a lie. Alternatively, truth is easier to say because it is just true. It doesn’t have to be modified it is just how it is. That is why it can be said with the eyes closed. There is no need to expend energy because it doesn’t need invigoration. Why do liars avoid looking people straight in the eyes? The answer is not far fetched because they are avoiding being giving away by the eyes. Whatever utterance we make our eyes say better. Hence, the liars’ eyes get riveted to the ground or to sky to avoid looking into people eyes.
According to George B Shaw, ‘A liar’s greatest punishment is not in the least that he is not believed but that he cannot believe anyone else’. This makes the liar the most suspicious entity on earth. This is because he believes everyone is doing it. He sees himself in others. Because they don’t believe themselves, they find it hard believing anyone else .At times one can’t help wondering if a liar can believe in God or whether they regard it as one of those sweet yarns spun by master liars. The insecurity that surrounds a liar’s life is second to none. This is because every minute is a potential discovery time of his lot what nobody envies. But the truth is that he chooses the lot and can reject it by accepting the truth.
The easiest and safest way not to lie is to see it as a challenge not to lie. Most time in life we need an element of pride to maintain and uphold an acceptable level of human integrity. This isn’t about extreme pride but just self esteem. If liars can see it below their integrity to lie, that would do a lot of good. If liars will garb themselves with fearlessness they wouldn’t have to lie .In a funny sort of way, if there is anybody worth lying to, it is God; because we fear Him. But that is futile since He already knows about it. At times we can lie by being silent when there is the need to speak out; but if talking will breed a lie, we can tell our interrogator point blank that he wouldn’t get the truth from us if we speak. Avoiding lies entails a belief in oneself and others, frankness, self esteem and fearlessness. Most times in life, truth cuts real deep but it has to be told because that is the only way of overcoming lies.
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I come alive when I write and the feeling that those few lines may impact positively on a soul unknown to me or even elicit a smile makes it a worthwhile endeavour.
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Comments
hmmm... Michael Newton-McLaughlin | Nov 25th, 2003
I liked most of what your article said, but one line draws a bit of criticism: <
This is what I meant. Ebuenyi Ikenna D. | Nov 28th, 2003
I didn't mean that only people who consistently lie do not believe in God.What i meant was that probably, liars because they don't believe others may feel that the truth about God is a lie told by liars like them.
Moreso,I didn't mean that only non liars believe in God.You must understand that some people don't see the morality thing or the religious aspect of things when they choose to tell the truth.To them,it isn't just about God.
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