Why Be Honest?

7 minute speech given to Titan Toastmasters on 18 February 2002 for Competant Toastmaster (Speech #2) from Communication and Leadership Manual (Speak with Sincerity)

Introduction

My secret of egoism. Act in rational, long-term self-interest.

Common view of egoism: cheat, lie, steal, manipulate to get ahead, to satisfy any desire. Not in our rational, long-term self-interest.

Tonight: Being honest, telling the truth, is a good egoistic virtue. Good for us in the long run, although sometimes painful in the short run.

How is this?

Lies Breed More Lies

Slippery slope. One lie not sufficient to conceal the truth. Example: scientist falsifying data. Lie more often and to more people. Each new lie increases risk of exposure as a fraud, of a ruined career.

Habit. Each lie contributes to a habit of lying. Dishonesty becomes default response. Lose skills of honesty, like finesse required to be tactful and honest or preserve our privacy without lying. Example: skills of benevolent criticism in evaluation in Toastmasters.

Self-deception. Deceiving others may contribute to self-deception. By investing so much time and energy into the lie, we "forget" the truth, perhaps intentionally. Example: Habitual deceivers of others also self-deceivers. Self-deception makes lies less troubling to the conscience.

Lies Exacerbate Our Problems

Primacy of Existence. Deception doesn't make uncomfortable facts go away. Example: padding a resume. Pretending doesn't solve our problems, only covers them up. Reduces motivations to change, to tackle our problems head-on.

Distraction. Constructing and maintaining lies requires time and effort that better spent on more productive and pleasurable pursuits. Example: sleeping through important meeting. We should spend that time and effort finding a solution to the mess. When dishonest, the mind is elsewhere, on the lie.

Damaging Relationships

None of these arguments depend upon the lie being discovered. But if it is, then damage trust in our relationships and reputation within our community.

Conclusion

Reasons why cultivated habit of honesty, why in everyone's self-interest.

Wider goal here to encourage thinking about long-term consequences of dishonesty. Helps us be honest, even when tempted to lie. Arms us with good reasons against people who want us to lie. Helps us explain to our kids the vital need for honesty in daily life. Noble, worthwhile, egoistic goals.