Whether we admit to it or not, we all lie every day in some way. Sometimes we lie to spare people's feelings, sometimes we lie to further our own agendas, or sometimes we just lie for the hell of it. And of course we all lie by omission.

Lying is an intrinsic part of the human condition. We can moralise and say that lying is bad or wrong, but it really is one of those necessary evils.

Perhaps the most acceptable form of lying is when we lie to spare others' feelings. When given the choice between hurting someone's feelings and lying to them, it is really so bad to tell a lie?

Life is not so black and white that we just outright claim that lying is bad. There are numerous situations where a lie is required:

1) Someone gives you a present that you really don't appreciate. Perhaps your grandmother has knitted you yet another jersey for Christmas. You're not going to break her heart by telling you can't stand her knitwear are you?

2) Your best friend has just had a baby, and it's the ugliest little goblin you've ever seen. Your friend asks you "Don't you think he/she is beautiful?" What are you going to say? You're not going to tell the truth about their little bundle of joy. You're going to grit your teeth and lie like there's no tomorrow to spare their feelings.

Those are just 2 examples, but there are plenty more.

In fact, lying is an art form to be admired. Done properly it can spare others' feelings and bring harmony to the world.