To live not lies? What it means to live a life with qualms, concerns and fears surrounding the Truth
Dolli and I have been doing a podcast together for some time, and I thought I would share one of our episodes on my podcast, From the Jaws of the Lion. In this episode, we discuss truth, the difficulties of expressing it, the fears, the concerns, the qualms and in some instances, the healing aspects. I have decided to share this episode because I discuss how speaking my truth with family proved to be instrumental in my healing journey. In the future, I plan to do more interview episodes and discussions concerning healing with others.
“One man who stopped lying could bring down a tyranny.”
The moral principle, “it is a duty to tell the truth” would, if taken unconditionally and singly, make any society impossible. We have proof of this in the very direct consequences drawn from this principle by a German philosopher, who goes so far as to maintain that it would be a crime to lie to a murderer who asked us whether a friend of ours whom he is pursuing has taken refuge in our house. . . .
It is a duty to tell the truth. The concept of duty is inseparable from the concept of right. A duty is that on the part of one being which corresponds to the rights of another. Where there are no rights, there are no duties. To tell the truth is therefore a duty, but only to one who has a right to the truth. But no one has a right to a truth that harms others.
Benjamin Constant (1767-1830), quoted by Immanuel Kant in his essay, “On a Supposed Right to Lie from Philanthropy”
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Thus, one who tells a lie, however well-disposed he may be, must be responsible for its consequences even before a civil court and must pay the penalty for them, however unforeseen they may have been; for truthfulness is a duty that must be regarded as the basis of all duties to be grounded on contract, the laws of which is made uncertain and useless if even the least exception to it is admitted.
To be truthful (honest) in all declarations is therefore a sacred command of reason prescribing unconditionally, one not to be restricted by any conveniences.
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), “On a Supposed Right to Lie from Philanthropy”