We live in a world of white lies. But who says this is a bad thing? A white lie is defined as a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone else’s feelings. White lies allow us to hide our true feelings, but by doing so we can protect those around us. Without the ability to tell small lies, in a life of pure honesty, things would not be as they are. If people were aware of how we thought all the time, relationships would be ruined and opportunities jeopardized.

Imagine if Jim and Tana, a happily married couple are attending a piano recital by Meredith, their youngest daughter. Following the performance, she runs up to them asking if they liked it. They say no. They say it sounded like a dying cow. And there stands Meredith, crushed like a tin soda can, heart broken, and tears rolling out of her big blue eyes.

This is just one example of the harm of pure honesty. So next time your mom tells you to always tell the truth, consider the possibilities of taking her so literally and consider the possibilities that white lies have.