Lying is regarded as one of the worst behaviors according to nearly every culture in the world. But as some people may assert, lying is acceptable, even necessary in some certain occasions. However, the issue whether lying is sometimes acceptable is always a controversial one. Different people hold different points of view, due to their different angles. In my opinion, lying is not always bad; sometimes it's even necessary for people to tell a lie.
The most common form of well-intended lying is complement. For example, you may tell one of your colleagues that you really like her new dress, but you do not have to really appreciate it. She may feel better when hears this; and by the flattery words, you may keep a good relationship with her. And as we all know, good relationship among peers is one of the most important factors that can enhance a company's overall efficiency. In this occasion of lying, no one gets hurt and the overall condition is promoted. Therefore, your complement is acceptable.
In the second place, it is sometimes necessary for people to lie. Many doctors may be in a dilemma between ethic requirement and professional moral. When a patient is diagnosed to have a fatal disease, such as cancer, professional moral requires a doctor to inform all the truth of the condition to the patient. But knowing the truth, the patient may feel so desperate that he or she may refuse to receive treatment, thus aggravating his or her condition. Therefore, the doctor should lie to him or her about the fact in order to try to cure him. In this aspect, lying is sometimes necessary.
Finally, I would supplement that these 'acceptable' and 'necessary' lies should exclusively be performed only under very qualified occasions. However, being honest is the most crucial quality of every person. If one is too much complementary, he or she may be regarded as too hypercritical and maybe thus being alienated by his friends; if one abuses his right to lie necessarily, he or she definitely crosses the line and should be punished |