Why do People Lie?

To be in denial is no longer an acceptable excuse.

“People Lie” —J.J. Cale

A girl was in love --or lust, rather--with two boyfriends. And she was juggling both as best she knew how. She observed her mother doing the same act. Her mother learned her own set of tricks from her mother. You get the picture.

It became a generational thing and as such, accepted by the majority of society. Soon, everyone started lying. The husband, the wife, their children and the neighbors as well. It became a problem of such proportions that soon, by the shame of other countries, the government of the land collapsed never to recover. The people were lost without the leaders. Since everyone lied by default and an entire generation of kids played by the laws of deceit, the present reality turned unbearable. Other commonwealths saw the advantage and invaded this country now in ruins.

What once was a formidable power now became a colony for the victors. Enslaved by a curse of their own making.

Maybe it all started long ago with something little women called their “secret”, AKA the little white lie. In the end, it brought the country and its society down.

Have we learned our lesson yet?

Far from it.

People lie more than they are willing to accept. They lie by accident at first, but if the lie passes and they reap the rewards, they don't retract. Much to the contrary. The seed is planted and most don't ever turn back. Suddenly, it becomes a way of life.

But…does everybody lie? That is a complex paradigm. How every one of us defines what deception is will be the key to determining if a person indulges in lying or not.

Then, we encounter manipulators and narcissists who wouldn't even contemplate changing because, in their minds, they come ahead and win in their pursuit of the benefits sought. Fortunately for the rest, but unfortunately for them, it is only in their head. Nobody likes a person who constantly lies. Not only is it insulting but also disrespectful. Most people choose not to confront them, but to avoid such individuals and soon, they end up alone and destitute. No one wants to come around and help them in their hours of need. Truth is king, deceit is infinite sorrow.

But, there is hope. If lying is learned, then truth can be taught. Honesty, like deceit, starts small—a courageous confession, an uncomfortable truth shared in the name of integrity. It takes strength to undo a culture of falsehoods, to reverse the tide of lies ingrained over generations. But strength is contagious, and so is truth.

We must remember that while lies erode trust, the truth—no matter how painful—builds it. Truth fosters connection, and connection creates unity, the foundation of any thriving society. The choice is ours: to perpetuate the cycle of deceit or to break free from it.

The lesson here is simple but profound: Truth, though sometimes heavy, is the only weight worth bearing. A society built on lies will always crumble under its own contradictions. But a society—or a person—rooted in truth will stand firm, weathering even the harshest storms.

So, will we keep lying, or will we choose truth—even when it’s hard? The future depends on our answer.

—∆—

Love and light. 🗽💜

René

Thanks for reading!

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