If you look around, you will find many people who lie many times during the day. In fact, almost all people on this planet lie at some or other point of their life. Some may be “white” lies but everyone tells lies or “omits the truth” sometimes. It is believed that the circumstances prevailing at that moment compels a person to lie. In most of the cases, people lie to protect their personal interests. However, there are people who lie to deceive others while some others are just addicted to lying. There are many who lie in order to avoid any sort of criticism from those around them.

It can be quite difficult to understand why people lie about themselves in relationships. The prime reason for this may be that they fear that their partner would leave them if they open up their secrets. People lie in relationships to keep the negative aspects of their personality hidden from their partners. Many people do not admit their past relationships or a “secret addiction”, as they do not want their partner to interfere in their daily activities.

Others lie and cheat in relationships because they have an inferiority complex and would not want their partners to know about it. The fear in their minds is responsible for making these people lie. A man may lie about his financial position to keep his relationship with a woman stable. Here, the fear is of the woman walking out of the relationship if she comes to know about the truth.

The most amusing thing is that people lie even though they know that they will get exposed at some point of their life. However, the lie spoken does provide a temporary relief and a false sense of achievement – something which these people enjoy.

However, a person who feels compel to lie about both the small and big stuff, has a problem. They lie to protect themselves, look good, gain financially or socially and avoid punishment.  Quite often the person who has been deceived knows that this type of liar has to a certain extent deluded himself/herself and is therefore to be pitied somewhat.

A much more troubling group is those who lie a lot — and knowingly — for personal gain. Lying often gets worse with the passage of time. When you get away with a lie, it often impels you to continue your deceptions. Also, liars often find themselves perpetrating more untruths to cover themselves.

The reasons why people lie and manipulate may not always be negative. In some cases, a lie is spoken to ensure the well-being of a person. In many situations, one does not have the time to explain the entire situation to the opposite person and convince him/her that what is being done is right. In many cases, a lie can help to control a particular situation from worsening.

It is, thus, very difficult to understand why people lie. However, a lie spoken for a good purpose should not be looked upon as a dishonest behaviour. Still, as far as possible, we should avoid lying as it creates a bad impression and makes it difficult for the other people to trust us.

When we lie, we have broken a bond – an unspoken agreement to treat others as we would like to be treated. Serious deception often makes it impossible for us to trust another person and vice versa. As the issue of trust is on the line, coming clean about the lie as soon as possible is the best way to mend fences. If the truth only comes out when it is forced, repair of trust is far less likely.

Be truthful, be truly happy!