Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult.
-- George Eliot
Without integrity, we have nothing to build on...or with.
And, I’m not lying. But, why do I even need to mention that? Because the value of the truth seems to be in question these days.
There are all kinds of things that require a basic commitment to truth. In other words, indiscriminate lying makes functioning impossible. Do you live at this address? Yes or no. Do you own the house? Yes or no. Did you get a degree? Yes or no. Is your resume all factual? Did you pay the taxes you owe? Or, perhaps more significantly (?), did something of significant consequence really occur? Did you see that man commit that crime? Is your accusation actually true (or, just partially)?
We are asked to tell the truth all the time; even expected to.
At some level, there has to be reality that is based on this expectation, On facts; not on conjecture, not on how we wished they were, not with significant pieces left out (or added).
Society depends on it — on our telling the truth.
When truth is merely a presentation or a characterization, designed to achieve some desired end, the whole system starts to break down. If I don't have to tell the truth, then lying is legitimized (because of the purpose it proports to serve) and actually needs to be perpetuated. But, when that particular end becomes more important than what happens along the way, the along the way starts to not matter. In fact, it is always along the way that matters the most, not some simply imagined end.
Besides, truth is not subservient to its efficacy. It just doesn't work that way. It doesn't really care how you use it. And, while falsehood can; in the end, truth can’t be bought and sold. Perhaps that is why we should always be wary of those trying to profit from so-called 'truth' — that means something significant about it has probably been altered.
...finish here.
