truth hurts essay

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Advanced Essay #3: The Truth Hurts

The Truth Hurts

You see them, staring right at you. They’ve changed, and you can see it. Their smile, more crooked than ever, as if they’re being forced by a puppeteer. They’re still, and so are you, no words, no clear understanding or explanation as to why they chose to become someone they knew they couldn’t handle. It’s destroyed them, but they’re too scared to admit it, so, they lie to you. They’re staring right at you, with nothing but a blank stare that for some reason you seem to understand, ‘Help me, I can’t escape what I have created.’ It scares you, yet you still stay, you stare at them. Why do they look so familiar? It’s time to say goodbye, to let go of the person you once knew and loved. They’re laugh merely became a grin, they’re touch was just like ice, and they’re love, drying up like leaves. You fear them, yet you allow yourself to stay for just a couple more minutes, because you miss them, even though you try to deny it everyday. You stare at them, their eyes, those familiar eyes, lost in what seems to be misery. Help can’t be given, and it hurts, but it’s also the truth. You can’t help them, you can simply just wait and be patient. You’re staring at yourself, right in the mirror.

Change, it’s such a bland word, it’s overused, and slowly losing its meaning. How can someone have an identity, a uniqueness that can only be seen in them, if they’re trying to steal someone else's?Steal, it’s such a dirty word, but it’s the truth. A change occurs because of fear of judgement and disapproval from society. We grew up thinking and being told by many adult figures that society has grown to accept everything and everyone, but I have learned that statement to be untrue. The world hasn’t been more rejectful of a person then they are today. It’s thought that if you don’t think or look the same way as the rest of the world, then you do not belong, so people “change”, become better not for themselves, but for the benefits of others. Does change really exist? Are people capable of change, or is it all just a lie created to fit in a world you think you don’t fit in?

I grew up surrounded by media that advertised the “perfect figure” to little girls. Size 00, make- up everyday, perfect tan, and many more ridiculous things. These advertisements were everywhere, and there was no escape, it was as if it was stalking me, but it didn’t care that I saw it, it wanted to be seen. I saw it very clearly, so clearly, that I began believing all the propaganda behind the “perfect body”, and what I had wasn’t the perfect body. My 13 year old mind was convinced I had follow these demands, or I wouldn’t be accepted into the world I wanted to be in. My 13 year old mind became cautious of every single item I put in my stomach. My innocent 13 year old mind was tangled in a web of lies, and I couldn’t set myself free. I went from size 4 to size 00, I would stand in front of the mirror everyday, and judge myself, the way I thought society was judging me. It became an addiction, and like any addiction, I saw no slowing down anytime soon, but why did I still feel loathed? I was scared and confused, isn’t this what people wanted? I became uncomfortable, shy, dishonest not only with others, but with myself.

To my surprise, I had been caught in a trap like many other people. My body was taken over like ghosts, whispering every intuition they can think of in my ear, and screaming it in my face. There’s no escape to this trap called reality, once you're in it, there’s nothing you can do to set yourself free. Society has imprisoned the minds of the weak. Once in the trap of lost identity, you consider all your mistakes, and accept the fact that you can never be free because there will always be a voice of judgment in the back of your head. All that can be done now, is accepting who you are and who you want to be, reality won’t change, you cannot change. I understand society now, and have accepted the fact that I can never be free from reality, but I can now live in reality knowing that I can overcome all the judgement and shunning.

Chuck Palahniuk, author of Invisible Monsters , describes identity as something fake, “Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known.” He’s right, at some point in your life you experience denial, denial of yourself. You refuse to see your beauty and uniqueness, and instead, you focus on the beauty of someone else. You think that’s not enough, you need more, so you focus on another person's beauty. You’ve glued the beauty of other people to yourself, and now you look ridiculous. The pieces are put together incorrectly, and the glue isn’t even strong enough. Not only have you lost your beauty, but no one else can see your beauty anymore because you are hiding behind the scraps of other people. You’re aware of what you have done, and you remove all the pieces, and now you're stuck with the remnants that actually did stick on.

When people “change”, at some point they always find themselves back to who they used to be. It’s hard to accept yourself because fitting in is the only thing people care about. Your veins are filled with determination to push you to be someone you are not, someone you cannot be. Every move you make, every breath you take, it’s watched and judged. What you don’t know is that you can’t change, change is impossible, you can’t be someone else because their identity is created by their past, a past you never had. You might think you are convincing the people around you, but really, all you’re doing is showing them that you would do anything to fit in, proving that you are weak. Soon, you become their puppet, and they take advantage of the power they have against you, because you have allowed them to become your puppeteer. People don’t change, no one can, people just get better at hiding who they truly are and who they want to be. Once the truth comes out, life becomes easier, and acceptance becomes something of the past.

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/43717-nothing-of-me-is-original-i-am-the-combined-effort

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Why Does The Truth Hurt?

The phrase “the truth hurts” is often used to describe the unpleasant feelings that can arise when we are confronted with difficult or uncomfortable information. But why does the truth often feel painful or unpleasant, and what can we do to better cope with it?

One reason the truth may hurt is because it challenges our beliefs, values, or self-image. We all have certain ideas about ourselves and the world around us, and when we are presented with information that contradicts these beliefs, it can be unsettling and uncomfortable. For example, if we have a strong belief in our own intelligence or capabilities, receiving criticism or feedback that challenges this belief can be difficult to accept. Similarly, if we hold certain values or beliefs about right and wrong, being confronted with evidence that contradicts these values can be emotionally challenging.

Another reason the truth may be painful is because it exposes us to difficult emotions or situations. The truth can be difficult to hear when it reveals something unpleasant or difficult about ourselves, such as a flaw or mistake we have made. It can also be difficult to accept the truth when it relates to a difficult or painful experience we are going through, such as a loss or disappointment. In these cases, the truth may feel like an added burden or source of stress, rather than a source of comfort or clarity.

There are several strategies we can use to better cope with the truth, even when it is difficult to hear or accept. One strategy is to practice mindfulness, which involves being present in the moment and accepting our thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can help us approach difficult truths with a sense of curiosity and openness, rather than immediately reacting with defensiveness or resistance. Another strategy is to seek support from trusted friends or family members, who can offer a listening ear and provide a sense of comfort and understanding.

It is important to remember that the truth can be difficult to hear, but it is also an essential part of our personal and interpersonal growth. By embracing the truth and working to better understand and cope with it, we can build stronger, more authentic relationships and a deeper sense of self-awareness. So, the truth may hurt, but it can also lead to growth and healing.

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The Meaning of Truth Hurts: Unveiling the Painful Reality

What is truth hurts meaning

The truth hurts meaning is a phrase that describes how facing the reality or hearing an unpleasant truth can be emotionally painful. It implies that sometimes, the truth can be difficult and uncomfortable to accept. It reminds us that honesty may not always be easy, but it is necessary for personal growth and understanding in various situations.

The Hidden Impact: Unraveling the Truth Hurts Meaning

In a world often shrouded in lies, deception, and half-truths, the impact of uncovering the truth can be both enlightening and painful . The age-old adage “the truth hurts” holds undeniable weight , as it implies that uncovering harsh realities can be a bitter pill to swallow. However, examining this phrase more closely reveals a profound hidden impact that goes beyond mere discomfort.

To truly comprehend the depth of this hidden impact , let us first dissect the phrase itself. “The truth hurts” suggests that when confronted with honest revelations, one is bound to experience some level of emotional or psychological pain . But what does this pain signify? Is it merely an immediate reaction to being stripped away of comforting illusions? Or does it run deeper, indicative of personal growth and introspection?

At its core, unraveling the meaning behind “the truth hurts” demands that we confront our innermost vulnerabilities. It calls for self-reflection and an acceptance of our own imperfections. Often, we construct protective barriers around ourselves—constructed from excuses, denial, or ignorance—to shield us from facing uncomfortable truths about our actions or beliefs.

However, when these barriers are shattered by an unexpected revelation or a brave choice to seek out the truth—an inevitable process in personal development—we are left exposed and vulnerable. This unnerving exposure sparks feelings of discomfort and distress as we grapple with cognitive dissonance between who we thought we were and who we truly may be.

As unsettling as this experience may seem initially, it is crucial to recognize its transformative power—the hidden impact within “the truth hurts.” It pushes us outside our comfort zone and compels us to confront ingrained patterns of behavior or societal norms that no longer serve us. Ultimately, growth stems from uncomfortability; shedding light on painful truths allows for self-improvement and personal evolution.

Additionally, the hidden impact of truth extends beyond internal reflection and can profoundly affect our relationships with others. Honesty, even when it hurts, fosters genuine connection and builds trust. It demonstrates integrity and authenticity, demanding respect and admiration from those who witness our willingness to confront difficult realities.

However, this does not imply that the pursuit of truth is without its challenges or risks. Uncovering certain truths may rupture long-held beliefs or provoke conflict within ourselves and with others. Nevertheless, by embracing discomfort head-on and challenging our preconceptions, we deepen our understanding of the world and become more empathetic individuals.

To summarize, unraveling the meaning behind “the truth hurts” reveals a hidden impact that is undeniably significant in personal growth and human connections. Though initially painful, acknowledging uncomfortable truths allows for profound self-reflection while ensuring lasting positive change. So let us embrace the power of truth-telling as intelligent beings capable of unraveling life’s mysteries because only by doing so can we truly understand the world around us.

Understanding the Complexity: How Does Truth Hurt Our Perception of Meaning?

In our pursuit of understanding the world and finding meaning in life, we often turn to truth as a guidepost. We believe that by uncovering the truth, we can unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. However, what if this pursuit of truth actually hinders our perception of meaning? What if knowing the truth causes pain and disrupts our ability to find purpose?

The complexity lies in the fact that truths can be subjective, varying from person to person and influenced by their own perspectives, experiences, and beliefs. This subjectivity means that there are multiple versions of truth, all coexisting simultaneously. While this might seem liberating at first glance – allowing different interpretations and understandings – it also presents challenges when trying to establish a universal understanding.

One way in which truth hurts our perception of meaning is through its disruptive nature. When confronted with an uncomfortable or inconvenient truth , we may experience cognitive dissonance – a state where our beliefs clash with evidence contradicting them – causing psychological discomfort and confusion. In these moments, the certainty and solidity we once held regarding the meaning of life can crumble away.

Furthermore, knowing unpleasant truths exposes us to harsh realities that challenge our preconceived notions and illusions about the world. It forces us out of our comfort zones and confronts us with difficult questions about human nature, morality, and existence itself. This confrontation can be deeply unsettling as it shakes fundamental pillars upon which we have built our perceptions of meaning.

Another way in which truth affects meaning is through its potential for disillusionment. Many hold onto idealistic beliefs or construct narratives about themselves or society that align with their desires or aspirations. These narratives may not always align with reality or objective truths but serve as crucial sources of motivation and inspiration. When such illusions are shattered by learning objective truths that contradict them, individuals often face profound disappointment and loss of purpose.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that the pain caused by truth does not necessarily equate to a negative consequence. The discomfort brought about by facing harsh realities can also be seen as an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. By challenging our beliefs, truth forces us to reevaluate and reshape our understanding of meaning in order to adapt and find new perspectives.

Despite the challenges posed by the complexities of truth, there is an inherent value in seeking knowledge and uncovering truths . Truth allows us to better comprehend the world we inhabit, enabling progress and evolution on both personal and societal levels . However, it requires a delicate balance – one that acknowledges the potential for pain while embracing the transformative power of truth.

Exploring the Depths: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the Truth Hurts Meaning

Title: Exploring the Depths: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the “Truth Hurts” Meaning

Introduction: Welcome, fellow explorers, to a captivating journey through the intricate layers of meaning behind the popular phrase “Truth Hurts.” Join us as we delve into the depths of this profound expression, unearthing its hidden dimensions and shedding light on its significance in our lives. Brace yourselves for an immersive experience filled with professional analysis, witty insights, and clever interpretations.

1. The Surface Level: At first glance, one might interpret “Truth Hurts” as a blunt statement about the pain that accompanies honesty. It seems straightforward – when confronted with an uncomfortable or unwelcome truth , it can sting and cause emotional distress. However, as we peer beneath this initial layer, we begin to unravel a tapestry woven with complexities and nuances.

2. Honesty’s Bitter Sweet Symphony: Digging deeper into the phrase’s meaning reveals that while truth may indeed hurt momentarily, its long-term impact can be transformative. By accepting harsh realities and facing them head-on, we open ourselves up to growth and self-improvement. Acknowledging faults or weaknesses allows us to address them constructively and forge a path towards becoming better versions of ourselves.

3. The Social Perspective: Zooming out from an individual lens, we uncover how “Truth Hurts” resonates within societal structures. The phrase aptly reflects how inconvenient truths often challenge prevailing narratives or ideologies. Unmasking these uncomfortable realities becomes essential for social progress to occur – dismantling systemic injustices or addressing widespread problems requires courageous souls who are willing to confront such hard-hitting truths.

4. Empathy vs. Discomfort: Leaning into empathy while exploring the depths of “Truth Hurts,” we acknowledge that delivering truth can also hurt those who must bear witness to it. In our increasingly interconnected world where revelations spread like wildfire through social media, expressing difficult truths requires a delicate balance between brutal honesty and compassion. Masking hard truths may offer temporary solace but embracing them honestly serves as the catalyst for growth and collective healing.

5. The Art of Self-Reflection: With “Truth Hurts” serving as our guide, we encounter an invitation to introspection. This phrase compels us to pause and reflect on various aspects of our lives. By challenging our preconceived notions or beliefs, we can navigate through the discomfort that accompanies self-discovery. Embracing truth’s sting ultimately empowers us to live more authentic lives .

6. Resilience Through Adversity: In detailing the journey of understanding “Truth Hurts,” resilience emerges as a vital characteristic. Just as physical exercise strengthens muscles, grappling with harsh realities refines our emotional fortitude. We learn that truth doesn’t have to be debilitating; instead, it can embolden us, propelling personal growth and cultivating inner strength capable of overcoming life’s challenges.

Conclusion: As we conclude this expedition into the rich tapestry of meaning behind “Truth Hurts,” we emerge enlightened and invigorated by the insights gained along the way. This phrase transcends mere words to encapsulate multifaceted dimensions capable of profoundly impacting both individuals and societies at large.

Embracing the discomfort borne from acknowledging uncomfortable truths opens doors to personal evolution and social progress alike. So, fellow adventurers, let us leave no stone unturned in our quest for truth – for only through navigating its depths can we fully appreciate its profound significance in shaping our lives.

Curious Minds Want to Know: Frequently Asked Questions About Truth Hurts Meaning

Welcome, curious minds, as we delve into the frequently asked questions about the meaning behind the powerful anthem “Truth Hurts”. This empowering and relatable song by Lizzo not only topped charts but also sparked many thought-provoking conversations. So, let’s dive in!

1. What is the meaning behind “Truth Hurts”? “Truth Hurts” is a courageous reflection of self-love and empowerment. Lizzo celebrates her independence while candidly speaking about the complexities of relationships. It encourages listeners to embrace their flaws, prioritize themselves, and walk away from toxic situations.

2. Why did “Truth Hurts” become so popular? The song’s popularity stems from its ability to resonate with a wide audience. Lizzo fearlessly tackles themes like self-esteem, heartbreak, and societal pressures with unabashed confidence. Its catchy chorus and infectious energy make it an irresistible anthem for anyone seeking validation or a reminder of their inherent worth.

3. Is there a deeper message within the lyrics ? Absolutely! Beyond its surface-level catchiness lies a deeper layer of feminism and body positivity. “Truth Hurts” boldly emphasizes the importance of loving oneself unconditionally while defying societal expectations or judgment based on appearance or relationship status.

4. How does Lizzo infuse humor into “Truth Hurts”? Lizzo masterfully injects witty humor throughout the song ‘s verses and bridges to keep listeners entertained while pondering profound messages simultaneously. Her clever wordplay and tongue-in-cheek attitude highlight her prowess as an artist who can tackle serious topics with a lighthearted touch.

5. Can “Truth Hurts” be seen as a groundbreaking song ? Certainly! In an industry that often leans towards conforming beauty standards, Lizzo effortlessly disrupts these norms through authenticity and body positivity in both her music and public image. She empowers individuals who may feel marginalized due to their size or identity while encouraging them to love themselves fiercely.

6. What impact does “Truth Hurts” have on listeners? The impact of “Truth Hurts” is profound, touching a variety of individuals who may have struggled with self-acceptance or faced societal pressures. It acts as a reminder that one’s worth comes from within and not from external validation. The song encourages listeners to remove toxic influences from their lives, embrace singlehood, and prioritize their own happiness.

In conclusion, “Truth Hurts” goes beyond being a catchy anthem; it serves as an impactful expression of self-love, empowerment, and individuality. Lizzo fearlessly seeks to break norms and redefine beauty standards through humor and confidence while honoring the complexities of relationships. So turn up the volume, embrace your truth, and let Lizzo’s powerful lyrics guide you towards unapologetic self-acceptance!

Decoding Emotions: Unveiling the Significance Behind the Truth Hurts Meaning

Emotions are fascinating to explore . They serve as a window into our innermost thoughts and feelings, allowing us to navigate through life ‘s ups and downs. One such emotion that often evokes intense reactions is none other than the feeling of hurt . But what lies beneath this profound emotion? What makes the truth hurt ? In this blog post, we embark on a journey to decode the meaning behind this age-old phrase.

When we hear the phrase “the truth hurts,” it often brings to mind situations where someone delivers an unpleasant or harsh reality, causing emotional pain in its wake. The significance of this statement lies not only in its inherent honesty but also in how it reflects our human vulnerability.

Perhaps one reason why truth hurts is that it exposes our vulnerabilities and challenges our preconceived notions about ourselves and others. In a world where illusions can be more comforting than reality, facing the truth can be a daunting task. The realization that something we believed strongly in was based on falsehoods or misconceptions can be deeply unsettling.

Furthermore, understanding why the truth hurts requires delving deeper into our psychological makeup. As humans, we have an innate desire for validation and acceptance from others. When confronted with uncomfortable truths, we may instinctively feel judged or rejected by those around us, triggering feelings of inadequacy or shame. This emotional response stems from our fear of losing social connections or being viewed unfavorably by those whose opinions matter to us.

The truth’s impact on our emotions varies greatly depending on individual experiences and personal circumstances. Past traumas or unresolved conflicts can amplify the pain caused by revelations of unpleasant truths even further. Our mental well-being is intricately tied to these complex emotions, making it crucial to explore them with compassion and self-awareness.

While acknowledging that hurtful truths can be challenging to confront, unraveling their significance can pave the way for personal growth and self-improvement. Embracing uncomfortable truths can lead to increased self-awareness, allowing us to better understand our strengths and areas for improvement. It presents an opportunity for introspection and reflection, encouraging us to reassess our beliefs, values, and actions.

The significance of “the truth hurts” also extends beyond our individual experiences into the realm of relationships. When truths are shared in a compassionate manner, they offer a foundation for communication and foster genuine connections. Having difficult conversations based on honesty can allow individuals to strengthen their bonds by creating a space where vulnerability is respected and understood.

In conclusion, decoding the meaning behind “the truth hurts” sheds light on its profound significance in understanding human emotions. The phrase captures our innate vulnerability as well as our longing for validation. While it may be uncomfortable at times, embracing the truth offers avenues for growth , self-reflection, and building genuine connections with others. So let’s approach these tough truths with empathy, as we navigate through the intricacies of decoding emotions together.

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Truth Essay Guide - Importance of a Truth Today

Any topic expressing a particular view of truth is a good idea as it's an all-time relevant issue. While working on a truth essay, you should combine examples from real-life, widely-accepted definitions, and personal experience to identify this phenomenon as accurately as possible.

If this writing guide, we will explain how to write an essay about truth, explore the matter in terms of prompts and topics, and provide you with some simple examples and tips.

What to Write in Your Truth Essay?

An essay on such a specific topic isn't a separate type of academic paper - it's just writing with a different subject matter. Defining it is not that easy. Our beliefs and perception of truth may vary depending on subjective experience and even life values. That is why one of the simplest strategies would be to come up with a definition of truth. There, you don't have to argue that lying is evil, and we should be honest with each other. You can just provide a trustworthy definition to the phenomena and analyze the way the world translates its importance. The main sources one can use for this paper are reliable websites and dictionaries.

And what if you're writing a philosophy essay? This is what is preferred the most amongst the college students because Philosophy offers more self-expression. Here, every opinion may be considered relevant if you provide the reader with reliable evidence and reasonable statements. But don't forget about the coherence. While being immersed in your thoughts, you may forget about the essay structure and start beating around the bush. To avoid that, pay attention to the structure of your truth essay and don't neglect to outline your assignment. Here is an example of how you can start this writing:

"I think that truth is one's perception of beliefs and decisions. The contrasting points of view predetermine the way each of us understands this phenomenon and answer the question, 'What is true or false?'. There is only one thing that unites all possible definitions of truth and makes people agree on it. That is something believed to be accurate while the opposite is wrong."

So, a philosophy essay on this topic is based more on the author's opinion than an official definition from the dictionary.

Master Absolute Truth Essay Writing

We've gone through two most popular assignment types that the students of different schools frequently deal with. But there are truth essays with other purposes that we must consider. Look through the following list with short explanations.

• Descriptive. Involving touch, smell, hear, sight, taste, try to describe what a true is by these means.
• Narrative. Create a narration in which the frankness will be a core idea.
• Compare-contrast. Analyze why people express the same or completely different opinions on truth.
• Cause-effect (problem-solution). Consider the consequences the world actually is facing because of the lie.
• Argumentative. Formulate an idea related to the topic and provide arguments showing your statement is true and valid.
• Persuasive. Convince the reader that a certain statement is/is not the truth.
• Reflective. The way you reflect on being honest or telling lies.

So, when you are assigned to write an essay on truth, you may focus on the purpose that interests you the most (unless the type is assigned)

10 Great Truth Essay Topics

There are many students thinking that truth essays are all about "grass is green" and "the moon has craters" issues. The joke is it's not true - there are many great ideas to write about. It depends on which aspect you wish to focus as well as the type of academic paper you have to turn in. Here are some questions to consider:

• The issue of true words through the history of mankind.
• Locke's theories of truth correspondence.
• The link between truth and honesty.
• The challenges of being sincere.
• The consequences of pretending to be someone else.
• The idea of honesty in "Dear Evan Hansen."
• Lies VS Truth: A never-never-ending battle.
• Importance of being honest as a postmodern thought.
• Situations in which lies could be justified.
• Lying to dear people. How do they know about you being dishonest?
• The correspondence theory of truth in everyday life.
• How lying can distort our sense of reality.

The range of possible topic options is far wider - just decide a knowledge of what life aspect, science, or course you can successfully apply in your assignment.

Essay Thesis Statement

Each paper of this type should have a frankness-related thesis statement. That is the main idea of the entire writing that should appear in the opening paragraph (introduction). In your conclusion, you may paraphrase the thesis from the first paragraph to remind people of what you plan to talk about. However, we advise you to make conclusions more valuable than that and come up with thought-provoking ideas.

Essay about Honesty

Now, we're going to provide several examples, and the first one is an essay about truth and honesty. These two terms are interrelated, and one can barely exist without another. You may start with something like this:

"How is telling accurate things related to honesty? Honesty is one of the best human traits as it refers to always being open, no matter how bitter or sweet it is. Honesty is what makes human beings brave and robust, and that is why it is one of the most significant traits of candidates to become a president and other ruling authorities. It can lead to certain problems, but people tend to sympathize with those who are honest. It's an integral part of morality, which is the best policy in relationships; it's a significant building block."

Essay about Lies

Is life worth lying? In an essay about lies, you may compare and contrast two opposites. It is okay if you think that telling lies is more beneficial than being frank in specific cases. Share some examples and try to prove your position by providing relevant evidence. Here's an example that can inspire you:

"Is there a single person in the world who has never told a lie throughout life? Excluding Jesus Christ and some other saints from the Bible, everyone has experienced lies from both sides - telling and being told. A completely honest person is a myth. It's not because all people are bad and insincere. In my essay, I'm going to prove that telling lies in some situations may save one's life."

Importance of Being Frank in Our Life

Here, you should provide enough arguments against lying. You may recall some episodes from your favorite movies or just depict real-life examples when telling lies ended up dramatically for both sides. One of the good examples could be Evan Hansen from the "Dear Evan Hansen" musical. There, the socially anxious boy pretended to be the friend of his classmate who committed suicide to make friends with his family. Then, he becomes a hero in the eyes of other people. It all resulted in a big confusion, and the boy was left with nothing.

Truth Essays for Kids

Such an essay for kids should explain what the matter of truth is from a childish perspective. Avoid using difficult, complex terms from philosophy or other science as your target audience won't understand the text. Try to explain what each complex term means.

"In human frankness, there is essential and biggest virtue. Sincerity refers to speaking exactly what you think and feel, and an honest man never tells a lie. We should start telling only the true things since our early days, and here, a lot depends on our parents. You might have had these conversations with them already. Lying to parents is the biggest sin, so practice being honest with them and people around. You may tell lies only in sporadic cases, ensuring that no one will suffer from it, but benefit."

Custom Truth Essay for Students

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The Ethics of Truth-Telling in Health-Care Settings

Can a lie be justified if it saves a human life or a community, or if another great evil is avoided? The article proposes that health professionals need not always tell the truth, depending on situation; but, this does not refute the significance of telling the truth. It also elucidates the value of telling the truth, and the challenges for telling the whole truth. Two prominent theories of ethics, Deontological and Consequentialism are deliberated, together with the integration of examples to illustrate main areas of interest.

Introduction

The truth hurts, as most people say. Yet while honesty has always been understood as the best policy, it has also played a role in the temptation to lie. Health professionals are expected to always tell the truth to their patients simply because it is the right thing to do. Still, arguably, if they were to examine their work every day, there are demands in which the truth is not always a definite matter. This brings us to the question: Is there a special moral duty and obligation for health professionals to always tell their patients the truth, or are there situations where some degree of dishonesty may be justifiable to avoid more serious harm to a patient? If there are reasons for not telling the truth, what are they? When could incomplete disclosure be justified, and under what circumstances? In the past, where the value of not doing harm (non-maleficence) was so strong, lying to the patient was considered acceptable whereby the arguments maintained that health professionals’ primary moral obligation was to help and not cause harm to patients. Therefore, lying was generally accepted, and news that is perceived as causing stress was withheld to avoid for what is judged as the best interest of the patient. Today, many things have changed, and telling the truth has emerged among the most widely praised qualities of health professionals in contemporary biomedical ethics ( 1 ).

The Value of Truth-Telling in Health Care

One of the most pre-disposed values to being truthful is associated with respect for the patient as a person who is able to make decision. This is because, to determine a course of action and governance of care for a patient, the patient requires nothing less than truthful information. The provision of truthful information to patients is one way to enable them to make correct decisions which benefit their overall health. Without knowledge of the truth, it would be uncertain whether patients can make informed decisions and would lead to failure of health professionals to respect them as autonomous individuals. Lying is held to be a breach of the autonomy of the person, and this contradicts concepts such as patient empowerment, shared decision-making and patient-centred care. This is essentially significant to a health professional obtaining informed consent, whereby the potential risks involved in the proposed treatment and intervention need to be disclosed truthfully. To consent to any health intervention, a person requires sufficient and truthful information to make an informed and conscious choice; arguably, patients cannot make effective decisions without truthful information.

The second value is on duty and trust, whereby Kant ( 2 ), one of the leading Western philosophers, believed that everyone has a strict duty to tell the truth even if it might be harmful. He believed that lying could never be an excuse, as it was always harmful to a particular person or to mankind in general. If harm results from telling the truth in a compassionate manner, then it is an ‘accident’, but if harm results from a lie, then the liar is responsible. Kant further supposes that telling the truth is always a duty, whether it relates to the other’s right to know or results in innocent people being severely harmed. In other words, from a deontological point of view, competent patients should be told the truth regardless of the consequences. It can also be argued that, given the value of trust in any health professional–patient relationship, then such trust must be properly facilitated and fostered throughout patient care. This may not be possible if patients discovered that they have been deceived by health professionals who are otherwise trusted to not tell lies. Furthermore, while lying may be justified at times, its main effect soon becomes evident, that despite liars believing their actions to be benign and in good faith, those deceived may feel upset and wary ( 3 ).

The third value is the physical and psychological benefits of telling the truth. One of which is the positive benefits on the patient; those who are well informed tend to collaborate with health professionals and seek to be treated. This is based on the belief that once the patient knows their diagnosis and prognosis, they can tolerate the treatment and the pain more positively. Meanwhile, in the absence of disclosure, harm may result from not seeking treatment. We must not forget that telling rather than withholding information will allow a patient to plan their care, seek other opinions and put personal and financial affairs in order ( 4 ). Therefore, it is very difficult to think of a situation where lying can ever be acceptable in the therapeutic relationship. Moreover, honesty also helps protect the patient from overtreatment, which is neither kind nor beneficial ( 5 ). In terms of psychological benefit, knowing one’s prognosis and diagnosis is far less debilitating than worrying about the unknown because patients who are not given the opportunity to reveal their own fears and worries may be left anxious and convinced that they have the most horrible fate ahead ( 6 ). As a result, this avoidance of communication about the reality of a patient’s situation may actually expose the patient to considerable psychological distress. Concealment, once started, and even with good intentions, would probably have to be continued ( 7 ). There is some evidence to support the notion that informing patients the full truth about a life-threatening disease does not result in a greater incidence of anxiety, despair, sadness, depression, insomnia or fear ( 8 ). In fact, informed patients engage in better communication with health professionals, resulting in greater trust in the care provided. Furthermore, it is alleged that not informing patients of the natural course of their illnesses deprives them of what is called a ‘good death’ ( 9 ). If, for example, patients were made more miserable by being given information about their condition and risk of alternative treatment, if it is what the patients wish to know, then health professionals are morally obliged to tell them the truth.

The Challenge of Truth-Telling in Health Care

Respect for patient as a person to be told the truth may possibly contradict with a patient’s right not to know such truth. In some cases, patients prefer not to be told or have full information of their health conditions, of a serious diagnosis, but would rather wish a family member be informed ( 10 ). In other words, some are happy not to be given the unpleasant information and are happy to leave the decision making to the health professional or family. Autonomous individuals are free to use their autonomy as they see fit, even to delegate it when this seems right, or if they find themselves unwilling or unable to cope with the information ( 8 ). For example, an elderly patient who had just numerous blood tests, was exercising her right to making decision, by asking that the doctor discuss the results with her daughter. To force or exert the truthful information on someone who might not be ready to deal with the impact of the information can be seen as oblivious and possibly damage the relationship between the health professionals, the patient and the family. For example, deception to a depressed, tearful patient who is in need of comfort may actually promote greater respect for autonomy than the oblivious truth. Successful deception may possibly infringe the patient’s immediate autonomy but does not mean it fails to respect the patient’s overall autonomy ( 11 ). Therefore, would recognising this wish symbolise a violation or respect to the patient’s autonomy? In any health care codes of ethics, it is generally established that health professionals ought to respect their patients’ wishes and preferences. Yet, this respect of wishes is not just about the patient’s right to know, but extends to respect a patient’s right not to know. This suggests that while there is a compelling argument for safeguarding respect for individual autonomy in being truthful, there is robust evidence emerging that such notion is not always absolute, particularly when a patient does not wish to be told the truth or to possess truthful information about them.

In the earlier arguments, it is part of health professional’s duty to tell the truth. Given the duty of openness and honesty is increasingly recognised as critical in any health professional relationship with patients, there are some uncertainties to such duties. For example, in patients with conditions of cognitive deficit such as dementia, it remains debatable if they are entitled to be told the truth in the first place. Generally it is perceived as justifiable to withhold information from certain patients and not tell the truth to patients who appear incompetent in accepting the information, or who have cognitive defects ( 12 ). It can also be argued that telling the truth is only a prima facie obligation, in other words, when there is conflict with other obligations, one can override the other obligation ( 1 ). This is in particular relevant to the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence which are used to justify for not telling the truth to patients. Previous arguments perceive that telling lies may potentially lead to physical and psychological harm, but what if, by telling lies offer greater benefits to patient, than causing harm? Should we then promote beneficence instead whilst taking into account our primary duty not to harm patients? Consider the following case study ( 13 ). There was a car accident whereby a man was badly injured while the family have been killed. This badly injured man regains consciousness in a hospital bed and he is critically ill and fighting for his life after a road accident. If this man were to ask about his family as soon as he has regained consciousness, would lying to him be justified? It certainly be difficult to see how it makes moral sense to tell him the truth, that his wife and three other daughters have been killed, until his condition is no longer critical, and the news, at that point, is unlikely to risk his life, although it would be a different matter if he were about to die. Therefore, perhaps it is good to reflect that if illuminating the truth would cause harm and a lie is told with the clear intention of achieving good, then lying can sometimes be morally justified. This is also based on the consequentialism point of view, insisting that the decision to tell or not to tell the truth depends on the details of the clinical situation, and the doctor should decide which course of action might be least harmful in producing the best results for the patient ( 7 ). It is further argued that there is a difference between ‘telling the whole truth” and “giving a patient a true picture”. Since health professionals involve specialist knowledge, therefore to tell the client “the whole truth” about a particular condition, explaining the biochemistry, physiology, and histories of like conditions in other people, might not be pragmatic. It is also impossible to provide the patient with such knowledge particularly where there may be little time whilst proper understanding might require the patient to have considerable prior knowledge. To some extent, patients will vary in their ability to understand the complexity of medical information and of course, ‘the whole truth’ is usually an illusion ( 8 ). Giving the patient a ‘true picture’ about their condition or medical treatment is more pragmatic than telling them the whole truth, as inevitably, the most relevant points will be selected by the health professionals to tell the patients ( 13 ). Besides the truth can be ambiguous, situational and personal, and that telling the truth depends on how each of the health professionals define what ‘truth’ actually is.

Meanwhile, from a utilitarian’s perspective whereby the emphasis on the maximisation of the happiness and interests of all concerned, then perhaps not telling the truth is arguably justified in certain condition. For example, patients are not always necessarily told that novice doctors are performing treatments, nor are they informed of the risks associated with treatments performed by novice doctors. As greater benefits, via an increased physical knowledge from treatment, are achieved for a large number of future patients when a novice doctor practices a procedure. To disclose this would potentially discourage patient participation and reduce the learning of the profession, would impact on future practice and treatment outcomes ( 14 ). Another example is when a nurse, who puts medication to a patient’s food, is an elderly patient with cognitive impairment, being acutely disturbed and represents a significant risk of harm to them self or to others. Of course, the issue of covert administration of medication given to an autonomous individual against his or her will is both legally and ethically unacceptable ( 15 ). The presence or the true nature of the medication was denied because truthful disclosure would cause the patient to refuse the drug, which could result in a negative outcome with regards to the patient’s treatment. Therefore, could the benefit of giving, for example, a sedative outweigh the possible harm caused? Indeed, telling the patient the truth can sometimes appear to be more harmful to the patient and it may well be justified for the nurse to withhold information or even use benevolent deception ( 7 ).

The Best Way Forward

Whilst most health professionals are always keen to treat patient with honesty, they must also carefully recognise and reflect on the assumption that all patients wish to receive truthful information directly, particularly when patient preferences do indeed vary. The meaning of truth and acceptance of it means differently across cultures, which necessitates treating people sensitively and sharing information using excellent communication skills. Health professionals also ought to approach cases on an individual basis and handle them delicately through careful deliberation and dialogue with the patient, their family and other multidisciplinary professionals. In cases where the overall welfare and long-term autonomy of the patient may possibly be maximised by means of deception, then such action must be clearly documented with justifications, and the decision must be reviewed on a regular basis. In the context of dementia care, for example, health professionals should seek to understand their patients’ preferences and act according to their choices rather than routinely disclosing or concealing such information. Patients with dementia require affirmation because they are individual people who may neither fully understand nor remember the truth, which could be challenging for health professionals ( 16 ).

At the same time, health professionals must be cautious of giving too much (truthful) information, as it can be overwhelming for some, if not all. It is common for people to misinterpret or misjudge new or too much information given to them, and therefore, health professionals must take note of considerations to recognise factors that can affect patients’ responses to information given. All this is necessary so that health professionals are encouraged to avoid undermining the obligation to be honest and truthful and to ensure that robust strategies are in place to effectively deliver information. At the same time, as part of addressing the psychological needs of the patients, preserving hope is seen as essential for patients to carry on with their life as normally as possible, and this may occasionally be maintained through avoiding certain information.

The above case examples direct medical doctors to carefully consider and bridge the cultural context and dimension as a salient point. Not only is there a need for established good rapport with patients, but increased awareness and understanding of cultural differences in truth-telling also helps frame the ethics of truth-telling. Such cultural sensitivity allow doctors to respect and accept the patient’s values, religious and cultural beliefs, whilst at the same time echoed on the significance availability and benefits of appropriate psychosocial, spiritual and religious support mechanisms (for example, clinical psychologist or counsellor). This could be one of the positive approaches to provide great support in doctor-patient cross-cultural communication and decision-making, hence giving patients the best care possible.

Health professionals are expected to always tell the truth. This is based on the argument that, lying is wrong and disrespecting the person’s autonomy is not right. However, this may not necessarily be the case, as the ‘right not to know’ the truth, should as well be respected by them. In the discussion, it appears that the truth is an essential moral good, but, sometimes truth does come into conflict with other essential moral good like beneficence, nonmaleficence and autonomy. When conflict arises, a line ought to be drawn between respecting one’s autonomy for the truth of information and the promotion of the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. Whilst physical and psychological implications of telling the truth to patients are addressed accordingly, it needs further consideration on both the harm of lies and the harm of telling the truth. Each patient nevertheless must be approached individually, and at a level that addressed his or her needs and interests. Hence, having considered the arguments where telling the truth stands in health care practice, health professionals may need not always tell the truth. These however necessitate them to not disregard the importance of telling the truth to patients and that in all situations, justification is needed before applying the notion of telling the truth.

Speaking a Truth that Hurts

Mustering the courage to give direct feedback.

Posted November 24, 2012

Whether you are typically cautious or assertive when it comes to stating your opinions without being asked, it is likely you shy away from telling a friend, colleague or family member something that you fear could hurt. The feedback could be as simple as letting a presenter know he has lettuce stuck between his teeth. It could be as beneficial as telling your co-workers their inability to collaborate with others is not only affecting the work flow but could come back to bite them in their performance reviews. Or it could be as helpful as sharing with your friend that people keep refusing her company because her negativity is a downer.

You want to let these people know the truth. You rehearse the words in your mind. You know your intent is good. Yet you still stay silent. Or maybe you share subtle hints, hoping they will understand and fix their appearance or behavior without you having to be bluntly honest.

We are humans who depend on relationships to survive. As adults, we rarely choose to deliberately do something that will hurt people we know. We especially avoid sharing a truth face-to-face that could embarrass, offend or wound someone we like.

On the other hand, it is likely you want people to tell you the truth even if it hurts. You might get defensive, but once you sleep on it, you realize that if the comments were made with good intent, they were helpful to some degree. So why can’t you return this favor for someone you care about or respect?

The next time you are anxious about sharing an observation that could hurt, first ask yourself if what you are about to share will help the person in the future or not. Consider that you might have been judging the person out of your own need to be noticed or right. Then, if you believe your intent is truly to help the person, contemplate these suggestions:

• Trust your inner voice . Your brain is masterful at talking you out of creating uncomfortable situations. Yet your nagging inner voice wants you to speak up. Quiet your brain to hear your voice.
• Question your fear. What is the worst that could happen? Consider the level of angst you feel now. Could living with the consequences of speaking up be easier than living with your fear? Is it your own embarrassment you are avoiding more than theirs? If you can, choose to be brave. Then keep your intent of helping in mind as you speak.
• Be strategic. Unless you are simply informing someone about a clothing, food or make-up gaffe, consider logistics as well as your words. Look for a comfortable and quiet place to talk. Limiting the distractions will help you express care and compassion as you speak. When your share your observation, be clear about the desired outcome now and in the future. Let the person know you are sharing your thoughts because you desire to help them to have something you know is important to them such as their professional future, collegial respect, friendship and love.
• Ask permission. Before you launch into your speech, you might ask the person if they would be interested and open to some observations you have had. If you sense their reluctance, you could ask if they would prefer a different time. Don’t use their rebuff as an excuse to back down. Agree on a time in the near future to talk.
• Clearly describe the impact of their specific oversight or behavior . A person might disagree with your interpretation of their behavior, but it will be harder for them to dispute the impact they are having on you or other people.
• If appropriate, share your intent. Let the person know why you care they have a more positive impact or outcome. Why are you sharing? What do you want for them as a result?
• Don’t question your value . If you are being honest and helpful, don’t beat yourself up if the person responds negatively. In the long run, you are developing your personal power as you become more comfortable with giving direct feedback.

Find more communication tips in Marcia's books, Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction and Outsmart Your Brain: How to Make Success Feel Easy.

Marcia Reynolds, Psy.D. , is the author of three leadership books, Coach the Person, Not the Problem, The Discomfort Zone, and Wander Woman . She is the president of Covisioning, teaching transformational coaching skills to coaches and leaders worldwide.

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Davis, California

Why it is always wiser to tell the truth

By YASMEEN O’BRIEN — [email protected]

A few years ago, I was introduced to the Czech proverb : “Better a lie that soothes than a truth that hurts.” When I came across it for the first time as a 17-year-old, I thought it sounded beautiful and complex. I knew I was guilty of telling lies I believed were harmless and unimportant. Sometimes, I felt that a hurtful truth was unnecessary, especially as the people-pleasing teenager I was.

People tell these kinds of lies all the time. We compliment people’s outfits when we don’t especially like them. We tell our friends everything is going to be okay when we don’t know for sure. We tell that annoying person that we’re busy when we’re really sitting at home watching TV. We’ve all told the most common lie of all: “I’m fine.” 

Recently, I told my uncle I loved his Christmas gift as I calculated what I could get when I returned it. Sometimes, though, these lies backfire — my grandfather got stuck receiving unwanted owl figurines for 40 years.

Our parents told us lies when we were children that were intended to shield us from the evil of the world: our dog went to visit a sunny, peaceful farm for the rest of its life, a man named Santa Claus magically enters our home and brings us presents every year and babies are delivered by storks. Are we better off having believed these? Did this really shield us? Maybe these lies saved our childhood, or maybe they delayed our understanding of the world and created our first inklings of distrust.

It’s been four years since I first heard this proverb, and it doesn’t sound so beautiful anymore. I don’t know if it’s all the life I’ve experienced between the ages of 17 and 21, or my quest to become a better person, but my perspective has changed. Now, I believe the truth is always better, full stop.

But I do recognize that it’s not that simple. There are lies that appear to soothe, it’s true. But how much soothing do they really do? Sure, when you lie you don’t have to face an inconvenient truth. You are let off easier and it seems like no one gets hurt. The lie is enticing — it seduces us by offering us things the truth can’t. But just because someone can’t feel the pain you’re causing them doesn’t mean you’re not hurting them. It’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. And it always does.

Truth, addressed and delivered with care, is much better than a lie, no matter how small it may seem. The lie will always cause more hurt in the end.

If you have ever been lied to, you are familiar with this feeling of disrespect, betrayal and insecurity. Your version of the truth is completely discredited. It feels like the person lying to you does not value or respect you enough to tell the truth. It’s cowardly to lie. Therefore, telling the truth is a kinder and more respectful choice. It is a very courageous act to confront the uncomfortable.

Lying to someone takes away their agency. It corrupts one of the most important qualities of being human: the ability to make free, rational choices. After all, it’s impossible to make informed decisions when you’ve been lied to. I am not claiming to be some perfect truth-teller, but I know I wouldn’t want my agency taken away. The golden rule applies here: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

Don’t get me wrong, there are some things I wish I didn’t know. Things I believe I didn’t have to know. It feels like I would have been happier without the truth. Ignorance is bliss, isn’t it? But when I stop to think about it, the bliss that ignorance gives you isn’t all that blissful. No matter how uncomfortable, the truth sets you free. And when given the power to set someone free with the truth or keep them caged with a lie, I hope you will choose to tell the truth.

Written by: Yasmeen O’Brien — [email protected]

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

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The Truth Hurts Argument Evaluation essay

Baird (9) seeks to address the issue of parents lying to theirchildren that looks do not matter. She compares the notion to buryingone’s head in the sand because in reality, looks matter. However,the author is quick to point out that looks “mean something, butnot everything”. She does not appreciate the way the society putstoo much importance looks, forgetting the other features that make ahuman being likeable. In summary, her main point is that the societyuses looks to define someone, hence parents should not lie to theirchildren that looks do not matter. She also rebukes the action ofpeople judging others by their looks and forgetting all the otherattributes of the person under scrutiny.

The author asks the right questions to make her argument. She askswhat a child should do when her parents tell her that she isbeautiful, but on the playground, other children ridicule her for herflaws. The bullying leaves the child confused because according toher parents, she is beautiful like any other child. This questionhighlighted the mistake of parents who lie to their children thatlooks do not matter when they know too well that the real world caresabout looks more than anything else does. The author also asks thequestion what if a child wants to accept that they are aestheticallyunattractive. Such a child has already accepted fate and decided tofocus on other things that will make him or her a better person.Therefore, should the parents keep lying to the child that looks donot matter or just confess to the child that in the real world looksare more important than the attributes of a person? The author makesher argument by poking several holes on the parents who lie to theirchildren. All these questions seem to fall in line with her argumentthat indeed looks matter, but they are not everything that defines ahuman being.

The author seems to have left out a few questions probably becausethey could have discredited her point of view. For starters, she doesnot answer the question, “then what?” After parents tell theirchildren that they are physically flawed, what should be the nextstep? Should they stay around and see as their children suffer fromdepression because they have realized that even their parents do notapprove of their aesthetic flaws? Their peers have most likelyridiculed the children and if their parents told them that they wereugly, it would be seem as though they were siding with the bullies.The author intentionally fails to address what would happen to theself-esteem of these children if they heard the truth from theirparents. She seems to avoid acknowledging the fact that the words ofa parent can do more harm than those of a bully.

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Baird does not address the cost-benefit perspective of tellingchildren that they are physically flawed and that they should lookpast it because looks are not everything. The question that she failsto answer is what will be cost-benefit ratio of exposing suchchildren to the reality of the ugly world we live in? Are they strongenough to learn that they will be judged by their looks for the restof their lives? Such questions would clearly have poked holes in herargument, hence the reason she left them out.

The author omits telling her audience the benefits of a parenttelling his or her child that being different is good too. She onlytouches on the issue of parents lying to their children and why theyshould refrain from doing so. She however does not outline thebenefits of telling a child that she is different from others becauseof facial flaws because she wants to attract more parents to herpoint of view. She should have said that telling your child the truthfrom an early age would make her immune to the unending bullying byher peers. In addition to acknowledging that one’s child isesthetically flawed, telling them the truth will teach them to beself-loving and look past their physical characteristics. She shouldalso have mentioned that telling children the truth would preparethem to be responsible adults who will judge people not by looks, butby their character.

When the author omits the fact that people lie to their children fora reason, she weakens her argument. She fails to acknowledge thatparents do it because their children are too young to be initiated tothe cruelty of the adult world. Parents lie to their children becausethey love them and wish to protect them from the cruelty of theworld. They prefer to lie to them so that they can find out the truthon their own, rather than have the children hear the truth from theirparents’ mouths. The author should not have omitted the idea thatparents do that for the love of their children. She should haveacknowledged that parents do it for the lack of a better way hencethe reason she is writing the article- to give the parents analternative of dealing with the issue.

The author also omits the examples of parents who have children withflawed physical features. She does not give a relatable example of aparent in the USA who had a child with disability, and how headdressed the matter. She did not talk to parents in order to knowhow they communicate with their children. She makes her argumentunder the assumption that all parents with children who do not meetthe societal standards of aesthetic beauty, lie to them that looksare not that important. The omission of this part weakened herargument to some extent.

The references used by the author are effective for her argument. Sheuses the example of the Australian writer Robert Hoge. She quotes hiswritings to show that indeed people place unnecessary importance onlooks. She also makes sure to include the part where Robert Hogeagrees with her argument- parents should tell their children thatlook matter, but they are not everything. By the fact that shealludes to a renowned writer and politician, she increases thecredibility of her argument. Baird also refers to her daughter toshow that children are born not to judge others by their physicalappearance. When she gives her daughter an Eleanor Roosevelt doll,she embraces it in the same manner that she embraced the Barbie doll.The author uses this reference to show that children are borninnocent but the society teaches them to judge others by theirappearance.

Works Cited

Baird Julia. Being Dishonest About Ugliness. The New York Times, Nov.2015. Retrieved from&lthttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/opinion/being-dishonest-about-ugliness.html?_r=0&gtaccessed June 13, 2016.

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The truth hurts.

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            "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara, tell us that children tend not to be naturally aware of inequality; they must come to this knowledge through experience.              This short story is about a young poverty-stricken girl named Sylvia, and the experiences she has on her field trip to F.A.O. Schwarz. Can a group of poor children learn the nature of inequality by visiting a high priced toy store?.              The main characters in the story are the little girl Sylvia, the other students on the field trip, and the teacher Miss Moore. Bambara creates a multitude of these characters to help Sylvia explore and demonstrate the issues that face poor people and minorities in the United States. Sylvia is a young, poor African American girl who is very judgmental about the world around her. She does not know what is like to have the luxuries of the wealthy, or even the middle class. Barbara's use of vivid language, spoken by Sylvia, adds to the stories realism, and shows the reader the hardships that she has probably gone through living as a ghetto child in the slums of Harlem. The other main character in ""The Lesson,"" is Miss Moore. She has recently moved into the narrator's, Sylvia's, neighborhood. Miss Moore is unlike the other African Americans in the neighborhood. She wears her hair in its natural curls, she speaks proper English, she goes by her last name, she has attended college, and she wants to teach the neighborhood children about the world around them.              The conflict between Sylvia and Miss Moore is the most worthy of note. Sylvia has her own perception of the way things are. She is in her own "world", which she does not like to have invaded by the prying questions of Miss Moore. In the back of Sylvia's mind she knows that she is poor, but it never bothered her until she saw how luxurious the lives of wealthy people are compared to her own. For Sylvia to accept that she is underprivileged is shameful for her, so she would rather deny it than admit that she is poor.

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"Telling the truth is not on the media's agenda." ... The pieces also reveal that truth is based on vision, meaning the media manipulate the truth by using selective images so that the stories suite their own needs. ... Finally the pieces reveal that the media does not care about truth or about who they hurt in the process of manipulating the truth. ... This quote shows the attitude the media has toward truth. ... These manipulations of the truth show that the media does not care about who they hurt in order to get the ratings they want or to please the people they want. ...

• Word Count: 1238
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Truth Of A Lie

The Truth of a Lie Trust is the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. ... I wonder if this wall I put up is preventing more than just people hurting me; the wall is hurting myself. ...

• Word Count: 774

8. The Ethics Of The Truth

"When in doubt tell the truth. ... "If someone you lie to finds out the truth, will he thank you for caring? ... When we think that we are doing something to help a friend, we may actually be hurting them in the long-run. ... Children are told that medicine won't taste bad, a shot won't hurt them, and that they have to eat all their vegetables or else. ... I would rather know the truth that die grasping on to false hope. ...

• Word Count: 2650
• Approx Pages: 11

9. Without Trust there is nothing

People may lie because it seems easier than telling the truth. People may lie to avoid the unpleasant encounters the truth may lead to. ... Although they hurt the other person, they also hurt the way others see them. ... Even though the truth may hurt the other, it would hurt worse if they were lied to. ... Even if a lie will hurt the other, telling the truth is always a better choice. ...

• Word Count: 401