Unanswered [1] | Urgent [0]
  

Home / Writing Feedback   % width   Posts: 4


[toefl] topic (dis/agree) There are times when lying is acceptable.



sugarzhi 3 / 15  
Aug 26, 2009   #1
topic (dis/agree) There are times when lying is acceptable.

When people are young, they all received a concept both from the teachers and the parents that a genuine people should always tell the truth. Lying to someone reflect a dishonest aspect of a person. This bad habit would ruin a person's life to some extent. However, who can claim that s/he has never told a lie? If the answer happened to be "I never tell a lie." then this must be a big lie.

In reference to lying, some of them could be regarded as acceptable.
First, some lie could help to develop the relationship with each other. For example, your dear wife just bought a new dress, and she asked for your opinion about if the dress was smart and trendy, or if it was suitable for her. Then what comments would you cast based on the fact that your true idea was that you don't like the dress? You choose to tell the truth, and say"Oh darling, it is ugly, old fashioned." or "Why you waste your money on that." Yes, when you say this, you are a honest man, but have you ever considered your wife's feeling? She must be very upset due to your honest behavior. In such cases, lying is truly not a disgracing thing, besides, such lie could win a harmony relationship between you two.

Another occasion that telling a lie should be considered acceptable is when some sudden accident happened, and you have to tell this bad news to a senior. Usually, it is hard for a senior to accept an sudden change in their life. For example, they have to face the fact of their children's death. In order not to trigger the sad emotion of the senior people, a better way may be to tell a lie first, and later let them know little by little. That lie would be forgivable.

My last line is that one could not lie for venomous purpose, and even if you are lie in some cases, keep in mind that one should be always honest and sincere-these are precious virtue.

Thanks for your revising and comments!

EF_Sean 6 / 3460  
Aug 26, 2009   #2
The essay's okay, mainly because it is a TOEFL essay, which means you have fairly low standards to begin with. Some things to consider:

She must be very upset due to your honest behavior.

She would be happier being a laughingstock for wearing an ugly dress?

a better way may be to tell a lie first, and later let them know little by little.

How do you do this, exactly? I can't think of a way of letting someone know little by little that someone else is dead.

keep in mind that one should be always honest and sincere-these are precious virtue.

No, you can't say that one should always be honest and yet lie sometimes. That's a direct contradiction.
OP sugarzhi 3 / 15  
Aug 26, 2009   #3
thank you so much, Sean.

For your 1st question, definitely, the wife will not feel happier for be a laughingstock. Actually, she would be waiting for her husband's lie.

As for the 2nd, a considerate person would try to let them feel things out rather than tell them in a straight way.

About the last paragraph, how about this: My last line is that as long as someone do not lie for venomous purpose, then it would be accept to some degree.

Would that be alright?
tuanlnc 10 / 36  
Aug 26, 2009   #4
I think lying for good purposes is not only acceptable but also necessary. White lies are sometimes very useful. For instance, when you meet a female colleague and say that "you look nice today", she may feel a little bit happy.


Home / Writing Feedback / [toefl] topic (dis/agree) There are times when lying is acceptable.
Do You Need
Academic Writing
or Editing Help?
Fill out one of these forms:

Graduate Writing / Editing:
GraduateWriter form ◳

Best Essay Service:
CustomPapers form ◳

Excellence in Editing:
Rose Editing ◳

AI-Paper Rewriting:
Robot Rewrite ◳

Academic AI Writer:
Custom AI Writer ◳