People lie, if you think there is one single man or woman that doesn't lie, I think you are being too naive.

People often lie to protect themselves from judgment, be it in the face of the law or in front of their peers. The lies may be white lies, but they are still lies, giving it a different name doesn't change the result of that lie or the reasons for it.

But what if someone lies to protect someone from their own ignorance? If already from past events the person A knows of person B's ignorance and telling him or her the truth, he knows that person can't handle or understand it? Is that a lie with telling? I think so, in my opinion I don't believe its fair to the person A that he or she is misunderstood for telling a truth that just because no one understands, is taken as nonsense and not taken seriously, person A may even be judged and outcasted because of he or her different points of view. Is that fair?

If telling a lie can save a persons pride and dignity, that is a lie worth telling. Not everyone can understand the truth and accept it for what it is, chances are people will avoid it and if they can't, they will use childish logic and immature sense to belittle that truth to save themselves the work or trying to understand it.

The ultimate question for me and everyone is, how can anyone tell them apart? How can we differ between a lie that has been told for the greater good or a lie for a selfish purpose? I think the only way is to weigh the factors of that current situation, to know both sides of the story. By knowing both sides chances are you will not be that biased and can come to a clean neutral assumption between them. Its takes extra effort but if the truth matters that much to you, you should be willing to go that extra mile.

I've told my fair share of lies, most of which for selfish purposes, but there is no benefit in telling the truth in which no one understands, I found it in my best interests to keep my mouth shut and my ears open. That way I can observe the people and read their actions, from there I decide if they are worth talking to at all, you may ask "who are YOU to be picking friends?", well I firmly believe " you are who you surround yourself with" and if i think a person is a ignorant fool, distancing myself from that person would be in my best interest no? Who wants to mix around with a ignorant fool which has no regard for anyone's else opinion but his/her own?

If lying can keep me away from people who can't understand the truth with a simple "I don't know", its worth it. People who don't understand the truth often seek it, they don't seek to understand, they seek to satisfy their own curiosity. It is a waste of time to entertain people like these, save your knowledge and wisdom for someone else, someone who deserves it more and will learn and understand it.

Lying to save yourself or protect others? That's the question you should ask yourself before you tell a lie, and ask yourself, can you sleep at night knowing the REAL reason behind that lie?