Those who know me, know that the title is a joke. I believe in honesty passionately. I would rather hear something negative about myself that is honest, than something pleasant that is untrue (although, like most people I’d rather hear something pleasant and true at the same time – LOL). I know that a lot of people can’t handle that, but I think it’s important to know that you can still be successful even being less than perfect – and who isn’t – really!
I’ve been watching a lot of House lately, and one of the things he often says is ‘Everybody lies.’ I don’t know that I believe that everyone lies consciously. Unconsciously, we probably do all lie to ourselves, but I think that’s different, because how could we know? Uncover them as best you can, but what you don’t know you can’t treat. In House’s case, it would just be stupid to lie to your medical doctor, but hey, who am I to disagree?
There are lots of people out there who are accomplished liars, even those that aren’t called ‘lawyers,’ ‘politicians,’ or “Salespeople.’ (Bad joke, sorry!) Actually I don’t believe all politicians or lawyers are liars. 
Professional liars can look you straight in the eye and lie to your face. I don’t know how they can look themselves in the eye, but that’s beside the point really. They lie because it’s a game to them – something fun. They get a charge out of manipulating people. Those poor damned souls.
To be honest is to have integrity, and integrity isn’t something that others can judge you on, but what you judge yourself on. If you don’t live your life with your own personal code, and your own personal integrity, you’re not a fully developed person. I couldn’t tell you why exactly that I believe the things I do, but I do know that they’re right for me, and I would fight for them with my last breath. Honesty is one of those.
Honesty and tact are different though – you can be honest, but still tactful. Generally I would rather not say what I’m thinking if I’m thinking negatively about someone, and not just because it’s tactless, but because it lacks compassion. If pressed though, I will reveal it. Why? Because someone who is pressing you really wants to hear the truth, and it’s not your job to keep it from them.
Also, I like honest people, because I know they’re trustworthy to the best of their ability to be so. If someone lies to you once, why wouldn’t they do it again? A liar isn’t going to be willing to admit that they lied except under extreme duress – an honest person who lied will be glad to admit it because they can let go of the guilt of doing something they know is wrong.
Extreme conscientiousness may seem self-righteous, and maybe it is. The truth I believe though, is it’s better to live with integrity, then to live as a shallow person.
All best,
Rose
