Just telling the truth

What is meant by the term, “honesty” varies for some people, however a popular misconception of honesty equates the virtue with always “telling it like it is” and not holding back any of one’s thoughts about whatever issue is being discussed, either relating to a person or an idea.

We are most times urged to always tell the truth but some argue that there should be a line drawn on just how honest one needs to be. There are always truths to be told but sometimes telling them might just escalate whatever situation, the truth was meant to curb. Telling the truth in some instances might not be the right solution in some situations. “To me, to be honest means to be brutally frank no matter how bitter it might sound or be. It only goes to justify the saying that truth is always bitter,  the truth is the truth and nothing can change it, any other adjustment is no more saying the truth, its twisting the truth to suit the situation, which all the same is still not the truth”, says Moses Daniel, a media consultant.

Honesty and being frank are two completely different words on their own. Honesty is something that is necessary to sustain or save a situation but being frank is one that does not put the relationship or situation into consideration and goes on to say it as it is without considering the consequences. Honesty does not require that one has to be mean about the situation; honesty takes into consideration the feelings and emotions of the parties involved rather than being brutally frank, that just goes on and says it without taking into consideration the feelings, emotions and throwing decency to the winds.

There are times in our lives that situations push us to say things in total and frankness and it only dawns on us the negative impact we have made right after the words have finished pouring from our hearts. There are times when being frank might be called for but it is necessary for us to know that it is not to be used on an everyday basis.

To be honest is one virtue that we all try to have but there are times when the truth does hurt and destroys. If done in a constructive manner it could go a long way in resolving the issues at hand while brutal frankness does not allow for any constructive manner as it is just meant to be harmful. On the long run brutal frankness only hurts the receiver and the person saying it.

“There are three categories of telling the truth that I have learnt to work with in my life. When it benefits or does not harm anyone, I will tell part of the truth or the whole of it, when it is going to cause a lot of harm or destruction even by telling part of the truth, in this case I will rather keep mute or when it harms to either tell the truth or stay silent only then will I tell a lie. Telling it as it is does not always safe situation in some cases especially if it going to cause the downfall of another but if the person is a non repentant sinner I will definitely tell all the truth without blinking an eye”, says Ahmad Kassim.

Honesty does not begin with communication with other people; it begins with one’s self. A person can be perfectly honest with himself and not say a word to another person in a given situation just to avert any trouble that might come with being truthful. It is alright to be honest at times. Some situations call for it when they have gone beyond the realm of reality. It is also necessary that we take precaution in using it sparingly. Do not get caught up so much in the truth that you forget that being a decent human being to others is the most important aspect of our lives. Be honest but we must do it justly not to the point of intentionally or carelessly harming others.