For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason

Bo Bennett, with words simple yet thunderous in meaning, reminds us of a law as ancient as the stars: “For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth.” At first glance, his saying may seem like a moral proverb, but it is more than that — it is a map of the human heart. For lies often arrive dressed in the garments of necessity. We lie to protect, to avoid pain, to preserve peace, to win advantage. These seem like good reasons. But truth, though heavier to carry, builds foundations that do not crumble. And so Bennett teaches that though the temptation to lie may seem powerful, the power of truth is always greater.

The ancients knew this well. The philosophers of Greece taught that truth was the harmony of the soul with reality, while lies were a discord that shattered the music of life. The Stoics, with their stern wisdom, warned that every falsehood weakens the speaker, even when it is small. For the liar enslaves himself: he must remember his false words, defend them, build walls around them. But the one who speaks truth stands free, needing no defense but the light itself. Truth is the ally of peace; lies are the companions of torment.

History gives us living lessons. Consider the story of George Washington and the cherry tree, though legend it may be. When asked if he had struck down the tree, the young Washington confessed, “I cannot tell a lie.” This tale, whether myth or memory, has endured because it illustrates a truth deeper than fact: honesty, even when costly, builds character. And it was this character that allowed Washington to lead a nation through peril, his word trusted by those around him. His legacy was not built on clever deceits, but on the unshakable foundation of truthfulness.

In contrast, we see the fate of Richard Nixon, who, when confronted by scandal, chose deception. His lies seemed at first a shield, a way to preserve power and avoid disgrace. Yet in time, the shield shattered, and the weight of falsehood crushed him. His downfall was not caused by the original crime, but by the endless web of lies spun to conceal it. Here is Bennett’s warning made flesh: for every good reason Nixon thought he had to lie, there was a better reason to tell the truth — for the truth, though painful in the moment, would have preserved honor where lies destroyed it.

Children of tomorrow, take this teaching to heart: you will often be tempted to lie. You will tell yourself it is to protect a loved one, to spare yourself shame, to guard peace. These may seem like noble reasons. But remember — for every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth. Truth preserves trust, which is harder to win back once broken. Truth builds strength, for to confess even your faults is to stand in courage. Truth sets the soul free, while lies bind it in chains.

The lesson is clear: let your words be few, but let them be true. Do not wield truth as a weapon of cruelty, but as a shield of integrity. Speak honestly, even when trembling. Admit your faults, even when ashamed. Confess your weakness, even when it lowers you in the eyes of others — for in the end, such humility lifts you higher than any lie could. Truth, once spoken, clears the air like thunder and rain, while lies linger like a poison cloud.

Practical action flows from this wisdom. Before you speak, ask yourself: Does this serve the truth, or does it serve my fear? If you feel the urge to lie, pause, and search for the better reason to tell the truth. Cultivate the habit of honesty in small things, so that when the great trials come, your heart is already trained. And surround yourself with those who value truth, for their example will strengthen your own.

So let it be remembered: truth is always the better path. Lies may offer temporary shelter, but truth builds eternal walls. Lies may spare you a moment of shame, but truth will give you a lifetime of peace. And those who live by truth, though tested by hardship, will be remembered as men and women of integrity, whose words shine like torches across the ages.