Life can feel like a challenging journey, and selecting a path, conquering obstacles, and meeting others’ expectations can sometimes become intricate. Some people believe that “sometimes you have to bend reality to survive,” and this belief needs to be questioned further. Is this true, and do we really need to falsify reality sometimes to survive? I will share my opinion, deeply informed by my experiences.
First, “distorting the truth” means preventing facts from being narrated accurately, sometimes by offering false information or portraying events differently than they actually are. This may occasionally seem like a simpler solution when facing a difficult situation, but we shouldn’t immediately discount the potential long-term impacts. For example, when a student obtains a bad grade, instead of telling their parents truthfully, they may claim, “The teacher made a mistake,” or “The exam was too hard.” This might look like an easier option, but it is necessary to explore how to correct this behavior in the long run by finding more ethical solutions.
To survive, we sometimes resort to altering reality when facing hard times, but this alteration is morally problematic. The moral aspect of this behavior cannot be underestimated, as it has a significant impact. Although this kind of behavior can offer brief relief, it often leads to bigger problems later on. Moreover, if a person constantly conceals or alters the truth, people will stop confiding in them, and relationships will weaken. The truth may also emerge unexpectedly, resulting in significantly more negative consequences, and the person could find themselves in a worse position than they had originally imagined.
Changing the truth may make life simpler in challenging situations and can even help keep others safe by minimizing unnecessary stress and anxiety. Families sometimes soften truths to make each other feel better, showing support and care. However, while bending the truth may offer short-term comfort, it can ultimately lead to a loss of trust, resulting in much larger problems down the road.
Honesty always reveals a person’s true character and reflects their trustworthiness. Telling the truth builds trust, which helps honest people lead more positive and fulfilling lives. Therefore, while bending reality may seem tempting at times, truthfulness remains a better and more sustainable path for long-term well-being.