"Honesty is the best policy" is the most common proverb adults edify to the younger generations. It is the mere innocence of children that compels them to vocalize their mind and reveal the truth, but what is honesty? Is it the truth or is it the opposite of lies? The answer depends on who is asked. No matter the age, gender or status, the answer solely depends on the person being asked.
The inability to lie is not equivalent to honesty. Ideally, it is a value that humans may possess, in reality, it is an element that constitutes human decency. How we choose to state the truth defines who we are, idem to how our personality is affected by the blatancy of our decision to lie, as either way, the result is invariably the same - the presence of judgment arises consequentially.
Parents use the aforementioned proverb as a mantra for children in order to guide them into becoming epitomes of nobility not only in their homes but also in society. Teachers use it inside the learning environment for the same reasons, the same way religion designates it as a commandment - to wield the people into becoming decent human beings not only for themselves but also for those in the surroundings, and in order to become reflections of goodness.
Truthfulness is also next to lawfulness. Honesty is a variable in professional ethics, thus, every work place or job description requires the truthfulness of the members. If it is established in homes, schools, organizations and jobs, then it is an axiom that equates fairness and decency that humans must live up to.
Let's bring politics in the colloquy. Government officials who have been proven to be corrupt are deemed as exactly what they have done - corrupt. Let's bring influencers in the colloquy. Youtubers, tiktokers , and celebrities who are proven to be hypocrites and liars are deemed as exactly what they have done - hypocrites and liars. Let's bring lawyers and journalists in the colloquy. Professionals who have been proven to have violated their oaths in terms of fairness and honesty are deemed as exactly what they have done - unfair and dishonest. To support my narrative, the actions of a person defines who they are, thus, affecting not only their image and reputation, but also their legacy.
Honesty is essential for one's being and one's part in society but not to the point that it is liberally celebrated. The brief yet deep saying "Truth hurts" exists because of the following: Just because you don't like someone's outfit, doesn't mean you are free to criticize. Just because you don't find someone attractive, doesn't give you the right to say they're ugly, these are objective truths. Your reality may be a different reality in someone's perspective but that doesn't mean your reality cannot affect another's reality. Honesty is freedom of speech but freedom of speech has boundaries. You are free to express the same way it is free to offend but let me ask you this, well aware that actions and judgments are consequential, would you rather, speak of the truth? or speak of lies? Either way, you will be affected depending on how you affect others.
