I know what you mean, the lie by omission. I still thinks it's lying but it also depends on the circumstances

Half-truth is all we know. The rest is in our imagination.

Depends on the topic or person.

If you are trying to be deceptive by not telling the truth or full story I would consider that as a lie.

It depends on what you are keeping to yourself, but I think that some things are better left unsaid. Once something is said it can’t be undone.

It depends on your intentions. If you are deliberately keeping to yourself information or only telling part of the story with the intention to deceive or mislead someone, then that would be considered a lie of omission.

I have to do this frequently. Not to cause a meltdown or total state of rage from person with brain damage and difficulty controlling emotions.

A half-truth has to have a half-lie left over.

I think it depends upon what they are keeping to themselves. Does it affect other people or is it a case of you ate all the biscuits. Sometimes there are things that whether said or unsaid will bite you if they ever come to light. If you keep a secret you are a traitor but if you tell someone you are gossiping or causing trouble. It's a fine line and for myself I tell everyone not to tell me secrets because for one I don't want to know anything that isn't for common consumption, and two I don't want to worry of perhaps saying something I shouldn't. I was told the sex of a baby once and in general conversation I let "she" slip and someone was paying attention and the secret was blown. Just like Sgt. Shultz I want to be able to say "I know nothing".

Totally AGREE with you. Some cultures might be different but I live in Australia and as far as I am concerned if you keep something to yourself - it is DEFINITELY NOT A HALF TRUTH OR BEING DECEPTIVE. Absolute rubbish I say.

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth... That’s an oat. But truth is not so simple...in everyday life everybody has a truth, not necessarily the same as I my truth, oh, it is interesting! Who wants “the whole truth”? What is it?

It is your decision AND it is a half truth

Golden silence is a way to do things

individuals choice

Absolutely your own decision on what you tell and what you don't tell.

I agree. It depends on the circumstance but some things are better left unsaid.

Agreed there is individual choice on what a person chooses to share with others.

An old proverbs says: 'even a stupid person who keeps his mouth shut will be viewed as someone wise'. In a legal sense, you are not obligated to tell anyone anything they are not entitled to. Many times you are better off keeping things to yourself anyway. ( I guess that is why we do surveys 😅) A half truth is deceptive when it is said in a way that is meant to hide the facts of serious wrongdoing and used in attempting to pronounce an offender as innocent. Polititians are masters at this craft. Another great proverb is: ' live your life quietly and mind your own business. ' As you said, ' some things are better left unsaid. '

I don't consider not saying anything a lie. If I have said nothing, how can I be lying?

It would depend on the situation...and each one is different...Governments tend to deal almost entirely in half-truths and deception and that is frustrating and annoying...with individuals you need to deal with these things on a case by case basis...keeping the peace and trying to make sure everyone is OK.... Edited 28-Apr-23 15:48pm

Hi Robyn this situation of half truth, is not fully understood to me. If that's something you read personally and it's your choice whether to reveal it. For that you won't be found fault with by anyone. May be it's another situation (I assume) you try to tell us in which that knowledge you gained goes against someone's public message quite opposite to what you have gathered on that subject. I don't know may be in such a situation you may be (you don't have to) feeling guilty that you didn't voice your opinion against it.

Keeping some part of how you are feeling or part of a story is not telling a half truth. It is using discretion when appropriate and actually using your smarts. It's your decision to say would should and not say what may be harmful. I think you are being too literal over what a half truth is and isn't. Trust your heart when it comes to what you should or should not say out loud or disclose to others. You'll come to trust yourself more with more opportunities to exercise what you share or don't. Saying some of how you feel and not all of it, is not being half-truthful. You're fine sweetie. Be you.

Some times and in certain situations the full truth can be more damaging so in this case it's best to tell half the truth so no one gets hurt.It's not lying as such it's protecting some ones privacy and dignity.

Def, you either tell the whole truth or keep it to yourself.

There are occasions when you MUST disclose, like to the police or in court. I feel better when I am truthful, but yes there are times in private life that you zip it to spare someone's feelings.

You can hurt people's feelings by telling the whole truth

Lying by omission is just that, lying

some things are better left un said

Sometimes to say nothing is implied consent. When a child is not admonished immediately what does he or she then think ? Then again, I agree with all the comments below. Old saying, "A still tongue makes for a wise head."

Many books are just stories

I don't think not telling some one your true feelings is a lie or being deceitful as we all can have horrible thoughts or feelings about things and we know they are stupid and as time goes by we forget or our attitudes change towards the issue. We all can have strange and weird thoughts and yes some are better left unsaid and kept to ones self.

I think it is the books you are reading that are the issue here there are many things you do not share with others and neither should you.

Think carefully before committing to anyone or thing. Some things spoken in half jest can cause disruptions beyond what is said lightly.

Exactly! What you choose to share is completely up to you. There is no no such thing as a “half-truth.” Either what you share is the truth or it isn’t. Having the emotional IQ necessary to be able to decide what is better left unsaid seems to be an intellectual trait that we as a social group is terribly lacking. Good for you to have that characteristic. You seem to be a member of a small group of people that are more concerned about others feelings than being a blabber-mouth.

What kind of books are you reading? maybe you need to use a dictionary for definiions

That could well depend on whether you are telling a story or answering a question. For instance, to half answer, vaguely or deceptively answer a question asked by a lawyer in court, would not be considered truthful.

It depends on the situation if it is going to hurt someone or course trouble sometimes its best not to say too much

There will always be some self-appointed, self-styled Expert to tell ius what is Right and what is Wrong. Fot the most part they are all nothing more than self-opinionated twits so best not listen to any of them. If you know, read or discover something new it is your choice, and no-one else's, whether or not you share that information with others. The Truth is always the best road BUT, as you say, there are some things which are better either left unsaid or are modified so as to not hurt someone else's feelings.

Interesting that a woman is depicted in this subject

Unless it's a legal matter, I wouldn't worry about it. What we need more than anything right now is for everyone to get along. Sometimes to do that we have to keep our mouths shut at the right times. Why cause unnecessary drama and hurt people if not telling them something has no ramifications. It can be a thin line, but that's why we have free will. There are times to speak and times to be quiet. We have difficult choices to make at times, but why worry about what other's opinions of you are. They don't always know all the information they need to be judgmental, but people are wired to judge. Some people love to judge others. It keeps people from judging them! The focus is always on everyone else! Tongues can be lethal weapons!

Dear Robyn half truths half liars

Half-truth or omission. Which is better or worse?

JUST DON`T

It's a half truth because you made a choice to keep the bare truth to yourself

I agree. You don't have to disclose everything. And if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. ;)

I completely agree with you, Robyn. Sometimes leaving something out prevents others' feelings from being hurt or gives you the person's true reaction. We should be kind and hurting others just to clear our conscience isn't always the way to go.

I would say if I were the one choosing to disclose or not disclose, I would ask myself if it would it be beneficial or would it be hurtful for the person to know. Also it depends on the circumstances & the context of the situation. Some things are better left unsaid at times.

as they say - Liar, liar, pants on fire.

It always depends on what it is. How do you know they are not telling half truths to you. it's impossible to be telling everything you've done in your life to every one you see on a constant basis, so you can only say what is nesccessary when it is neccessary.

disclose all or don't at all. Telling half the truth is deciding for the other party which generally you have no idea how it will be received

My mother always said to me that me being truthful was hurting peoples feelings but sometimes it better to tell the truth and if they cant handle it its there problem not yours

Yes some things are better left unsaid so that is not a lie!

keeping something to yourself does not mean it is a half truth. it means you maybe dont want to hurt someones feelings. i believe as long as its not a bad thing causeits no good to bottle up things

agree, what i choose to share is my business Literally everyone does this when they say 'im fine' cos reality is, im fine is code for 'things not great, i just dont want to talk'

i do respect the truth no matter how hard it is,

there's always a little truth behind every *:just kidding*

Reading everyone's comments to this discussion has been quite interesting. My mind automatically went to the example of "A child's pet dies. Do you just tell the child their pet has died and gone to heaven/over the rainbow bridge/(whatever your belief is) or do you tell the child their pet died because it was hit by a speeding truck and it's as flat as a pancake and spread all over the road for quite a distance"? Yes, i have been in similar situations in the past hence why it was the first thing i thought of. I do prefer the truth, but within reason. It has to be appropriate for the person/people it is aimed at and you have to be willing to accept any feedback. . . . . Judging my the responses others have given, i feel this was quite triggering for some people and has shown some people's true colours.

It depends on the situation and the person. It isn't a half truth. You just aren't divulging everything.

truth aways best

I think people say too much

I sometimes tell the half of truths in which all depends on the situation I am in.

i agree with you

morally speaking it depends on the intent. if you are telling someone partial truth to make them feel they do not have a purpose then you are being deceptive but if you just want to spare someone or yourself irritation or hurt then it is ok . the point is really the intent. sometimes it is better not to say anything about a particular issue if there are too many personal feelings regarding it that you do not want to share. things come together but we cannot always make everything come together.

Whatever keeps the peace. Try telling the truth to people who have closed minds and don't want to accept the truth!!!

Yes..some things are better left unsaid

I have heard this expression before but didn't imagine this is what it meant.

It's not a lie 🤥 to be private unless you're spouse finds proof of an affair and you remain silent when confronted

I think you need to check on Shannon Tweed's life before she married Gene Simmons.

I think it's a person's choice. One way or other.

It depends what it is. For example if someone was having an affair then that definitely is deceptive. If someone is sneaking a couple of extra TimTams when they told everyone they are on a strict diet then that's not a big deal.

I really don’t know

One of the nastiest examples. Especially people do not tell the truth when they fart. Probably feeling bad for contributing to global warming. Or should they declare that loudly?

one of the best mantras to go by is to follow this " What other people think of you is actually none of your business" so by thinking about this you can decide for yourself whether making a comment or disclosing a fact or opinion will actually achieve something or get an appropriate response from others and whether it actually matters to you

If I feel I am unable to tell the whole truth then I prefer to say nothing at all. It really depends on what the situation is.

I was taught as a child that "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" Some of the inane "chatterers" on the Bingo site would do well to heed this maxim.

Research tells me “A half truth is a statement that conveys only part of the truth, especially one that is used deliberately or to mislead someone else” myself I feel it best not to say anything, keep it to myself, rather than tell only half the story, unless off cause it is a life threatening situation, ‘the truth will set you free’

I believe there are varying degrees in this. For example, if someone asks you if you like their dress and you think the colour is nice but you hate it on her, but just say the liking the colour part, I see that as a half OF the truth; no need to hurt her feelings by saying it doesn't look good on her. If your partner asks how your day was and you say it was good and leave out the part about going out and putting a good ding in the side of the car, I see that as a half-truth aka deception. There are so many examples but you have to go with your conscience with this. When I leave out a part of the truth that I think is important, I FEEL like I just lied and have to fix it right away. But going back to that dress or something small, my conscience would say 'well done, Teri' for not hurting my friend's feelings. If she or he loves their dress, who am I to put down their joy???

i concur, but i guess it depends on what it is. If you are holding information about a crime, that is differentEdited 28-Apr-23 05:42am

No one else's business. Imagine saying the truth and hurting a person by what you say. This is not always a wise choice.

I agree 💯

depends on what and from whom you are keeping it from.

It’s called lying by omission. So you just decide not to say anything. It’s pathetic. People usually make up bullshit excuses about it like “ I didn’t want to get involved”, or “ it’s not my place to say anything”, or “ some things are better left unsaid”, or “ what people don’t know won’t hurt them” etc.

When it comes to a half-truth, which half do you tell?

Did not understand your question, but 'I think' you are asking the following: Truth is a generally accepted outcome or reasoning while Fact is a proven Truth. Fact is true but not all Truths are Facts (aka Half-Truths). Other words, Facts are more objective in their nature whereas Truths are more subjective in their nature (which can/will lead to Half-Truths).

Totally agree

Depends on what it is

Depends on what you have been keeping mum about. Sometimes a half truth is gentler on the recipient but eventually you may have to tell them all if necessary. I never lie as I am very bad at it and besides I was always told to tell the truth. I can be blunt, curt but also diplomatic depending on the circumstances. Depends on what you are also keeping to yourself. If it is about you that you do not want to disclose you are not being deceptive or telling half truths. It's your business and only you have the right to disclose it or not.