Why do people lie?

[Pacaveli-T]

Can I just know what possesses people to do it, and if so why so often...like is this innate in people or what I have to wonder cause I don't get it why people do it so godamned often and why? espacially to me....like im a dummy and shit..

does it make people feel superior to be able to lie to someones face? this includes lying about keeping promises.

So tell me why is it people feel it necessay to lie to people including and especially the ones they love...

anyways i hope i get feedback on this..im off into the night and think over some serious crap i gotta take care of in my so called life.

 

[Rukas]

People lie because of fear, they are afraid of telling the truth because of its repercussions. Therefore they lie to cover it up. That’s why I never lie, I dont care enough to be afraid.

 

[Florida123]

People lie because of fear, they are afraid of telling the truth because of its repercussions. Therefore they lie to cover it up. That’s why I never lie, I dont care enough to be afraid.

that's a pretty bold statement...i'm sure there have been or will be situations where you would lie to cover you're own tracks or someone else you cared about.

 

[SicC]

its fun to lie, living on the edge.

pz

 

[ChrisZimbo]

nothing wrong with telling a little white lie

 

[Sebastian]

telling a lie is absolutely wrong. but lets not go into details...

 

[Amara]

its fun to lie, living on the edge.

pz

lol.

I think there is an element of fear of repercussions as suggested, as well as elements of self preservation - the maintenance of our own interests even if at the expense of others, which whilst not justifying lying, can in some circumstances make it understandable. And as Machiavelli and other realists would tell us, self preservation is the ultimate goal, it is innate human nature.

As for me personally, I believe in honesty, especially when it comes to loved ones. No-one is perfect though, best baring that in mind.

 

[S O F I]

Some are pathological liars, they can't help it.

 

[Silleone]

i dont really lie, i tell lil white lies.

 

[Bender]

People lie because the truth hurts, it's like a mind-state of denial.

I believe people also lie because society has somewhat established a set of ideals that everyone is expected to conform to (of those influenced), and those who don't want to be in disagreement with others over this, lie to live up to a certain standard (in other peoples eyes), deviating from the truth.

 

[Last-of-G's]

Definately agree with the fact there are pathological liars... Some people lie like they breathe air.... its that easy and natural for them.. watch those fuckers, especially females... no offense

 

[AmerikazMost]

People lie to avoid punishment, gain reward, or project a greater self-image.

 

[Zero Cool]

^^Or if they're scared. There's a mafioisi saying which goes something like "I've no reason to lie as I fear no man"

 

[Pacaveli-T]

see my problem is the whole lying thing is they are either pathalogical or pathetic or ADD types or the cover up types to stir up needless shit....

i mean pointless and petty lies are totally unecessary i mean example someone tells you ''oh i have to go now i'm not feeling well'' but then 30 minutes later you see them and they are just fine playing soccer and shit..(didn't happen to me but I chose not to expose some people who pull shit on me)

i mean people are so hellbent on covering their own ass that it conflicts with the people who surround them...

i mean everyones is saying ah fuck i expect people to be honest and its all i ask and blah blah and when you provide them with the most honesty one person can ask for they turm it on you..niceness or not and how you appraoch the honesty its there and then people to aliveate the guilt of knowing they can't even compare to the honesty you can provide them twist the hate on you accusing you of things that are so atrosuous you couldn't believe...

all i'm saying is fear or not I offer my honesty whether it's direct or not and I still continue to do it like an idiot cause i chose to not be like the majority of this population who lie through the skin of their teeth and what's worse what did i get out of this for it....nada nothing but garbage and headaches and bullshit...I'm starting to get that movie cliche line that people can't handle the truth...shows more now then ever.

 

[Chronic]

I've lied to people because telling them the truth might hurt them. Because I don't like to hurt people and because I don't like the confrontation.

Pacaveli-T you seem to have a lot of people lying to you. Could it be something about you that puts certain people in the position to lie? Just a question, not an accusation.

"i mean pointless and petty lies are totally unecessary i mean example someone tells you ''oh i have to go now i'm not feeling well'' but then 30 minutes later you see them and they are just fine playing soccer and shit."

That's not necessarily pointless and unnecessary. I've used those kind of excuses because like I said above I'd rather not tell the person "i don't feel like hanging out with you". If a person constantly does that you should distance yourself from them. If a person constantly does that you should get the message.

 

[S. Fourteen]

I lie because it's easier to lie than to tell the truth in certain situations.

girl: am I ugly?
me: nah you're not, I think you're beautiful (lie)
girl: awww you're so sweet
me: *smiles*
^^^^
girl: am I ugly?
me: yes you're ugly (truth)
girl: omg! you're fucking mean! I hate you!
me: *deals with the bullshit*

---

me: *wakes up at 3 PM*
mom: my goodness! how come you slept so long?
me: I didn't sleep that long. I was up all night reading a book (lie)
mom: oh...
^^^^
me: *wakes up at 3PM*
mom: my goodness! how come you slept so long?
me: I smoked two blunts last night, I'm stupified (truth)
mom: god damn you, you little shit! I told you to stop smoking weed! I'm taking you to rehab!

---

friend: how come you didn't pick up your phone last night?
me: man, I left my phone in the car and I didn't see that you called until this morning (lie)
friend: yeah... whatchu doing right now?
^^^^
friend: how come you didn't pick up your phone last night?
me: man, I didn't wanna talk to your bum ass (truth)
friend: damn, what the fuck is wrong with you?
me: what? I'm telling you the truth, you're lame
friend: fuck you!

 

[Amara]

all i'm saying is fear or not I offer my honesty whether it's direct or not and I still continue to do it like an idiot cause i chose to not be like the majority of this population who lie through the skin of their teeth and what's worse what did i get out of this for it....nada nothing but garbage and headaches and bullshit...I'm starting to get that movie cliche line that people can't handle the truth...shows more now then ever.

Majority people you have known may have been like that, but dont generalise about society as a whole. You need to find some better friends if they are continuously and repeatedly lying. If the standard of lying is like the example you gave, or like salty's I'd say you are being very melodramatic, if it runs deeper - here is some harsh truth - you are an idiot for putting up with it and not knowing that you deserve better. So let morons defeat you or stand up for yourself make things change for the better.

 

[haunted]

I lie because it's easier to lie than to tell the truth in certain situations.

Word my asian friend :thumb:

But i also lie for no reason at all, someone will ask me a simple question like "what did you do today? " And ill just make up some stupid shit not exactly sure why.

 

[Pacaveli-T]

Majority people you have known may have been like that, but dont generalise about society as a whole. You need to find some better friends if they are continuously and repeatedly lying. If the standard of lying is like the example you gave, or like salty's I'd say you are being very melodramatic, if it runs deeper - here is some harsh truth - you are an idiot for putting up with it and not knowing that you deserve better. So let morons defeat you or stand up for yourself make things change for the better.

see im generalizing the people i know i dont care about society seeing i dont affiliate with society...
as for friends i never said it was just friends so your family or partner lies what are you going to say? fuck off I'm disowning you..its a little hard..i don't care about friends they are replacable and esay to drop family and loved ones are a little harder...and no the lies aren't those ones salty and me gave..im saying i dont wanna get into major ones because as i said for the exposure of other people i know here.but thing is seeing most are liars i gotta drop everyone? sounds a bit extreme even for me..ppl would be dropped like flies if it was the true case.

 

[Amara]

see im generalizing the people i know i dont care about society seeing i dont affiliate with society...
as for friends i never said it was just friends so your family or partner lies what are you going to say? fuck off I'm disowning you..its a little hard..i don't care about friends they are replacable and esay to drop family and loved ones are a little harder...and no the lies aren't those ones salty and me gave..im saying i dont wanna get into major ones because as i said for the exposure of other people i know here.but thing is seeing most are liars i gotta drop everyone? sounds a bit extreme even for me..ppl would be dropped like flies if it was the true case.

Friends and lovers, you can choose, family ok fair enough, not so easy... although, we have excommunicated some members of my family for their behaviour. I guess what I would say to you is, along the lines of what I said before, you have to look out for yourself, dont let anyone treat you like a fool or rather, dont be a fool yourself by letting them get the better of you. This is mainly about being on your guard (not necessarily distrustful, but aware nonetheless), because even though our family may the closest to us, this doesnt make them immune from hurting us, so if we choose to trust them, the onus is on us to decide if they deserve it. Arguably we shouldnt have to do this with family, but it is a reality that not everyone is trustworthy. If you give trust willingly and unquestioningly, take with that the preparedness for disappointment. The closest person in the world to me doesnt trust me...not yet. I know I have to earn that place. (Maybe you should "affiliate with society" more, especially with people who can show you there is more to life than lies and disappointment, or else you are going to remain in this negative mindset and only make matter worse for yourself).