Real-Life Fiction

One of the basic lessons we are taught as children is never to tell lies. Told that honesty is the best policy, the truth shall set us free. Punished when caught breaking this golden rule and warned against future offenses, we get the clear message that tall tales are small felonies.

As we mature, we realize that, at times, deceptions called “little white lies” are required. Since they are harmless and often used to spare others’ feelings, they are excusable. For example, if a friend enthusiastically asks what you think of her new hairdo and it’s the most unflattering style you’ve seen in a long time, all women know the one and only possible response: I LOVE IT!

Finagling is understandably acceptable when the motive is purely that of genuine consideration; putting a smile on someone’s face overrides telling an absolute truth as long as no harm is done. Most of us are guilty of this minor violation here and there. Sometimes little white lies are automatic responses that good manners spew.

Then, there are manipulative, habitual lies choreographed by manipulative, habitual liars. These people should grow noses long enough to twist into pretzels in order to be visibly recognized as the scammers they truthfully are. Some practice their skills solely to camouflage unscrupulous actions. They pull the wool over our near-sighted eyes in order to profit in a specific manner. Trickery may be used to advance them in business, gain favors from so-called friends, and/or dupe and swindle starry-eyed romantic types until they suck them dry like thirsty vampires.

Other routine fabricators are those who crave attention and portray themselves as whom they want us to believe they are in order to get it. They may wish to be revered, respected, well liked, and captivate audiences with exciting soap-opera sagas. Even attempts to earn compassionate recognition through invented tales of woe are productive when carefully orchestrated. They falsely advertise themselves and attract naïve buyers.

Aside from injurious, bold-faced lies being ethically wrong, the perpetrators are usually eventually caught in the web they’ve cavalierly spun. Habitual liars don’t give up their bamboozling ways; instead, they spin new webs elsewhere and brew a fresh pot of unsuspecting onlookers. There’s nothing like a new cup to perk things up.

I find it despicable that deliberately placed illusions are sprinkled around for the intended purpose of fooling others to attain any of a vast assortment of perceived benefits. If we want to get ahead, let’s do it honestly. If we crave attention, let’s earn it favorably. Furthermore, if we wish to change our lives and become the people we desire to be, we have the power to genuinely do so; pretending is merely the cowardly shortcut to a non-existent destination.

And if your nagging wife asks how you like her new celebrity makeover, and the one she most closely resembles is Frankenstein’s bride, or your pompous husband tells you that he’s the best catch in town, second to none, there’s only one thing you can do. Be honest.

If you’re lucky, the truth shall set you free.

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