The Unbearable Lightness of Being Too Nice
in Philosophy ·
Terry Kim3 said:Honesty isn't just some social rule—it’s a psychological framework that manifests through actions that simply don't harm others. It stems from deep within a person's core. On the flip side, a lack of honesty is really just a byproduct of one's persona—that ego shaped by upbringing and societal pressure. If you were raised in an environment where cutting corners was the norm, or if you were born into a culture that rewards deceit, there's a high probability you'll end up being dishonest yourself; it becomes your version of "normal" because you haven't been taught any other way. Still, even then, there's usually that nagging voice of conscience—that internal compass—warning you that you're off track and that this state of being feels unnatural. Trying to correct that course is a massive, uphill battle. Conversely, if someone is raised with a genuine sense of integrity, their outward personality aligns with that inner core. Even if they slip up occasionally, that inner voice is quick to pull them back toward the right path.
That is an excellent explanation of what honesty truly entails.
Integrity is actually much easier to maintain for one simple reason—it is far more rewarding in both a material and non-material sense over the long haul...
-edit-
Regarding the examples involving Holocaust Memorial sites—let’s not confuse apples with oranges here. How could honesty possibly be linked to the raw, primal instinct for survival when life itself is on the line?
- Money or survival!
- But no—no, I won't give you the money; what you are asking of me right now is just not honest!