Topic: Truth is like Nudity
AstuteAvatar's photo
Sat 04/21/07 05:58 PM
I got these two quotes from a book I read called Slow Lightning by Jack
McDevitt. I think they have a definite ring of "truth" to them =)

“Truth is like nudity: It is on occasion indispensable, but it is
dangerous and should not be displayed openly. It is truth that gives
life its grandeur, but the polite fictions that make it bearable.”

and

"We value Truth, not because we are principled, but because we are
curious. We like to believe we will not tolerate manipulation of the
facts. but strict knowledge of what has occurred often inflicts more
damage than benefit. Mystery and mythology are safer avenues of pursuit
precisely because they are open to manipulation. Truth, ladies and
gentlemen, is overrated."

So what do you think?

sexysweeti's photo
Sat 04/21/07 06:13 PM
The truth will set you free...but I think it could be dangerous so I
prefer not to overdose on it.

Jess642's photo
Sat 04/21/07 06:27 PM
Sheesh!!! I am as naked in my truth as the day I was born....

My Truth...always, never cloaked, nor clothed, always stripped to the
bone..naked.

Never will I hide from truth, mine or someone elses, I may not
understand theirs, but I will learn from it.

jeanc200358's photo
Sat 04/21/07 06:28 PM
What do I think in terms of the statement "Truth is overrated?" I
completely disagree.

AstuteAvatar's photo
Sat 04/21/07 06:37 PM
See, I think Truth is a little overrated. It can be dangerous, and there
are situations where the truth isn't always the right answer. The way I
see it, if telling someone the truth will make their life better, good.
If the only thing the truth is going to do is hurt them, what's the
point? Honesty is good and should be practiced as frequently as
possible, but aren't there situations where lying and deception is
noble? For example, someone's kid dies traumatically and probably
painfully. When the parents ask "Did he suffer?" what's the best
response? Would you really look them in the face and tell them their
baby laid on the floor bleeding out for 20 minutes before blood loss
took over? It just bothers me that some people are self-righteous enough
to say that the truth is more important than someone's happiness. People
are more important than being right.

Jess642's photo
Sat 04/21/07 06:42 PM
I disagree...lying is lying, no matter how you colour it...did he
suffer? yes...was it painful?, yes...but he is at peace now..it is the
truth...I personally will not lie to me, to you or to my children,
never...don't ask me if you don't want my truth...

Jess642's photo
Sat 04/21/07 06:43 PM
Sel-righteous? or not self-delusional...tip toe around, second guessing
what you think people want to hear???

Isn't that self-righteous, to assume you know what they want to hear???

AstuteAvatar's photo
Sun 04/22/07 03:59 PM
I posted a reply yesterday after the site went to maintenance. I was
typing when it happened. Oh well.

Yes, assuming that you know what someone wants is certainly
self-righteous. However, truth is (from time to time) up for
interpretation. What's true to you may not necessarily be true to me.
It's sometimes relative, and assuming that your truth is the best truth
can also be self-righteous. Who am I to force my truth on someone who
would rather be lied to? And while they are few, there are situations
where I'd prefer to be lied to. An extreme example would be if the
government knew a nuke was going to be detonated in my city, and that it
wouldn't be possible to evacuate people. I'd rather not know.

But at any rate, I feel that what's really important is how you treat
people. Thus, the truth is (just a little) overrated.