When Truth Is Offensive
When Truth Is Offensive
But Am I Willing to Pay the Penalty for Saying What Is True But Politically Incorrect?
Do you always speak the truth, even when the truth is offensive to someone?
If you said “yes” to that question, you’re probably lying. Either that, or you live by yourself, are completely celibate, and have few friends, and everyone who knows you thinks you’re hopelessly antisocial.
I imagine some old curmudgeon who actually does tell everyone exactly what he thinks: someone tells him “Good morning!” and he just scowls and says, “It’s a terrible morning! And seeing your stupid smiling face this early just made it even worse!” Maybe someone like Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
As Jesus said, “The Truth shall set you free.” And he’s right. You tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and it will set you free — free from being in a relationship, free from having a job, etc.
Most of us suppress our true thoughts and feelings at least sometimes. Maybe you bite your tongue when candor would be ill advised, or maybe you tell just a few white lies to keep the peace in your marriage or workplace. But where do you draw the line?
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