A DECLARATION OF WAR

“When most of us think of someone who is dishonest, we usually think of other people and rarely of ourselves. But the fact is if one includes exaggerations, little white lies, and the conscious omission of relevant facts, most of us are guilty of dishonesty on a regular basis.

Why is it so easy to exaggerate, bend the truth, or lie by omission? Because doing so temporarily puts us in a better position than telling the absolute truth would. There are only three reasons to be dishonest:

• To promote ourselves
• To protect ourselves
• To manipulate the thoughts, feelings or actions of others.

Unfortunately, all these are false perceptions. We think we are going to benefit when we are dishonest, but whatever gain we experience is short lived and the consequences of being dishonest are long-term and ultimately outweigh the temporary gain dishonesty provided.