A MAN WHO KEEPS SILENT SAYS NO LIE

by Mr. Mean-Spirited

There is no such thing as a sin of omission. Holding something back is not a lie. Keeping stuff to yourself is not perjury – it’s just being prudent. An untruth is a calculated falsification – while merely leaving stuff out does not counterfeit anything. A lie is saying something deliberately fake, but a gentleman who keeps his mouth closed about certain things says no falsehood whatsoever. An unanswered question could mean many things, but it is never dishonest.  

A vigilant individual is always cagey with specifics. Like a police investigator failing to release a few critical details about a crime, a discrete man doesn’t reveal everything. Undisclosed information gives you an advantage over the listener.

Having secrets is far, far different from being a faker. An individual that keeps some things hidden is not a fabricator. Only the man who remains silent can never be accused of fraud.

A man who doesn’t talk about certain things has a true ethical foundation. A man who doesn’t mention certain areas of his past has real moral principles. A gentleman doesn’t tell tales out of school, no matter who might be asking.

A judicious human being does out facts on a need-to-know basis. A reputation for always telling the whole truth is the mark of an inferior mind. Keeping your mouth closed is the clearest sign of superior character.