Which is worse - stealing or lying?

My drivers license states I'm 20 pounds lighter than I am. I knew I was lying when I stated my weight.

But depending on circumstances, it's hard to say.
 

We arrested a man on robbery charges. He had robbed 4 different businesses in the same area of the same county. When we got him back to the barracks and interviewed him (with his permission), we discovered that he wasn't just a good liar, but a great liar. He had an answer for every question that was asked and all of his answers sounded plausible, but later proved to be lies.

In court, the Judge said he was able to fool people because he used the "illusion of truth." That got my attention because I had never heard of that before. The DA asked to approach the bench and the Judge granted it. Both the DA and the other attorney stood before the judge while the DA and judge spoke for maybe a minute. During recess, I asked the DA if he could share what he asked the judge and he said he asked him what did he mean by the "illusion of truth." He said it means someone that repeats a lie over and over until people will see it as the truth.
 
911 said:
We arrested a man on robbery charges. He had robbed 4 different businesses in the same area of the same county. When we got him back to the barracks and interviewed him (with his permission), we discovered that he wasn't just a good liar, but a great liar. He had an answer for every question that was asked and all of his answers sounded plausible, but later proved to be lies.

In court, the Judge said he was able to fool people because he used the "illusion of truth." That got my attention because I had never heard of that before. The DA asked to approach the bench and the Judge granted it. Both the DA and the other attorney stood before the judge while the DA and judge spoke for maybe a minute. During recess, I asked the DA if he could share what he asked the judge and he said he asked him what did he mean by the "illusion of truth." He said it means someone that repeats a lie over and over until people will see it as the truth.
Click to expand...
I was telling a couple of retired Troopers over breakfast the other day about this question and one of the Ret. Troopers told us that there is a word that is used for people who continually lie until people will believe the lie. I hope I spell this correctly because I wrote it on a paper table napkin and you know how that goes. The word that is used for someone who continually lies until it’s believed is called “tautology.” I never heard that word and had to check it out and found it to be true.
 
911 said:
I was telling a couple of retired Troopers over breakfast the other day about this question and one of the Ret. Troopers told us that there is a word that is used for people who continually lie until people will believe the lie. I hope I spell this correctly because I wrote it on a paper table napkin and you know how that goes. The word that is used for someone who continually lies until it’s believed is called “tautology.” I never heard that word and had to check it out and found it to be true.
Click to expand...
Tautology is generally used to describe unnecessary redundancies. The use of different words to express the same idea. For instance, "I saw it with my own eyes." (Perhaps you could see it with someone else's?) or "Either it's true or it isn't." (Ya' think?)

A common one: "In my opinion, I believe..."

So I can see how "illusion of truth" would fit under the umbrella of tautology. Some liars repeat and rephrase the same concept so often that others believe it due to sheer repetition. ("I've heard this a lot so it must be true..."

Sad to say, it's prevalent in politics these days. The internet echo chamber boosts liars' stories until half the public believe them.
 
It depends. Stealing money from a vault is worse than telling your wife she doesn't look fat in that dress. But telling a woman you met in a bar who was too drunk to see what a scum bag you are that you love her, is worse that pocketing a package of Twinkes at the grocery store. Of course opinions vary on the specifics. But I hope this isn't question to justify what you just did that hurts someone else in some way. Why not do both... or neither?
 
StarSong said:
Tautology is generally used to describe unnecessary redundancies. The use of different words to express the same idea. For instance, "I saw it with my own eyes." (Perhaps you could see it with someone else's?) or "Either it's true or it isn't." (Ya' think?)

A common one: "In my opinion, I believe..."

So I can see how "illusion of truth" would fit under the umbrella of tautology. Some liars repeat and rephrase the same concept so often that others believe it due to sheer repetition. ("I've heard this a lot so it must be true..."

Sad to say, it's prevalent in politics these days. The internet echo chamber boosts liars' stories until half the public believe them.
Click to expand...
So, I guess that’s not a new word? The man we arrested was convincing as all get out. I’m not easy when it comes to believing people, unless they have corroborating evidence, but he sure had me fooled, until we couldn’t substantiate anything he told us.
 
I don't like the black and white answers of some of our correspondents!

Right after the war many people in my hometown were practically forced to steal as they went to neighbouring farmers' fields and helped themselves to potatoes because they were on the verge of starving. The farmers had made no effort to help their neighbors, they were too busy trading their produce for valuable goods! Not our farmers' finest hour! Was that morally wrong? Maybe a judge would say so but anyone with a heart would disagree!

In the case of lying: a dear lady comes up to you in the ugliest outfit you have ever seen and asks you "how do you like my new dress!" You would be hurtful and cruel if you told her the truth! Wouldn't you?

As I said, some maintain that lying is always bad, stealing is always bad, but the world isn't black and white, it's grey!
 
Last edited:
Old Salt said:
Right after the war many people in my hometown were practically forced to steal as they went to neighbouring farmers' fields and helped themselves to potatoes because they were on the verge of starving.
Click to expand...
Having never experienced something like that myself I would be reluctant to judge those "thefts"... You make a good point.
 
911 said:
So, I guess that’s not a new word? The man we arrested was convincing as all get out. I’m not easy when it comes to believing people, unless they have corroborating evidence, but he sure had me fooled, until we couldn’t substantiate anything he told us.
Click to expand...
Sounds like George Santos. After someone started digging his jig was up, but until then he was sliding along fooling everyone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 911
debodun said:
I was watching an episode of "M*A*S*H" where Maj. Burns steals an antique gun from a wounded officer and tries to impress Hot Lips saying it's his. Of course he's eventually found out and Hot Lips, furious, says something to the effect that he stole it then lied about the gun being his. When he tries to justify his actions, she says something to the effect, "It's worse to steal than to lie." That struck me as odd - I would have thought the opposite. What's your feeling on which is worse - lying or stealing, or is each about equal in wrongness.
Click to expand...
Lying and stealing are bad. Raping and murdering are even worst. The worst crime of all is global warming because it effects the entire planet. Who's to blame? The entire human race; more or less!
 
Stealing is the worst, I have never stolen. I think it is despicable to ever take what is not yours.

Lying is another thing really, thinking of 'white lies' not serious or damaging big lies. We might lie to be kind, diplomatic, keep our life private, get out of going somewhere or doing something. Just harmless lies. If asked how we feel we probably say 'fine thanks', even if we feel upset or not well.
I wonder if anyone can ever say they always tell the truth?
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top