Are we by nature deceitful?  If it's in our best interest - do most of us lie or deceive?  Many of us have learnt this art in our childhood where we test our parents to see what we can get away with.  Some of us change as we mature and can clearly see the difference between right and wrong - but others continue and more often or not get away with it.

I haven't gotten away with much because I've always found honesty to be the best way out of trouble and have always tried to face the victim head on - as an adult anyway, but I remember once when I was small getting angry with my brother.

He had a giant scab on his leg and I was so angry I kicked it so the scab fell off.  My father who rarely smacked me - smacked me quite hard.  I bunged on the tears and managed to convince him it was an accident - although my brother knew it wasn't.  Of course I got sympathy and an apology - but I wondered if these incidents teach us that as long as we sound sincere - we can get away with anything.

What's the most deceitful act you have perpetrated in your lifetime and gotten away with - if you can answer honestly?  

I dont think humans are by "nature " deceitful.
Thats said childhood can be a time of experimentation and we did test boundaries..hopefully learning by our mistakes.

Some pple think that by being deceitful they can gain some kind of an advantage over another for whatever reason. These pple dont seem to care who they hurt in the process.

I remember my younger sister wet  my shoes because she knew I would get into big trouble if my father thought I wet them myself. She told him what "I had done"..and watched me take the blame.
My dad did tend to not spare the rod.
I never forgot that.

I did tease my brother a lot when I knew he was not allowed to hurt me..I took advantage of that situation. He did get his revenge later on of course.

I deserved it.

I feel bad about that even now.

Sometimes can we also be honest..knowing full well we will get our own way anyway-knowing that what we say /do is going to be unpaleateable- believing the logic/mindset of the other is flawed for what ever reason and that they will just fall into line.?Honesty is not always what it seems on the surface

I think it depends on the person involved and what they/you have invested in them and vice versa.

Survival is an instinct. While we consider oursalevs "civilised" and thereby most of us (westeren world) don't live under the clause of natural selection, the survival instinct it is still ingrained in us. At the sign of danger our instincts kick in - regardless of whether the case is one of extreme danger causing possible death or minor danger resulting in emotional or physical damage (a scolding or a smack). Fight or flight.

As in the case of being naturally deceitful; it depends on the development of individual. In the wild even the lioness knows when to fight or retreat. It's the same with humans. However, our default reaction (whether it is to panic or lie or to act or tell the truth) depends on who we are as individuals.

To be honest is to fight - to face the music, telling the truth whatever the consequence.

To lie is flight - escape trouble via any means possible, running away, lying etc.

hhhmmm,  mantra - I was playing pool with my "soon-to-be" brother in law at a pub.
It was a good guys day, his 'soon-to-be" wife " (my sister) rang up wanting to talk to him. i said he was not there.
They divorced a few years after, he was not a good catch.

But, was not a good thing for me to do.

Hi Sprintcyclist - nice to see you back.  You only told a little white lie to your sister and no-one was hurt in the process, I assume.  If that's the most deceitful thing you've done - you must be a saint.  :)


In regard to principles - AM explained it well.


Quote:

To be honest is to fight - to face the music, telling the truth whatever the consequence. To lie is flight - escape trouble via any means possible, running away, lying etc.