A lot of subjectivity, judgment and situational consideration goes into "honesty".

A friend of mine whom I like recently asked me to contact my other friends and ask them to vote for him to be on a Condo HOA board. I said "OK". Now, I like the guy, but his "savoir-faire" does not lend itself well to managing the business affairs of a condominium. It would be like Obama asking me to vote him in as general manager of a WalMart, something way above his pay grade ... well ... except I don't like Obama.

Bottom line: My friend put me on the spot by asking me to influence an election in his favor. To be graceful in an awkward situation, I said "OK", but I ain't gon'na recommend him for the HOA position when there are others who are more eminently qualified to serve. I still like the guy ... I just don't want him on the board. He'll never know. I feel no need to "repent". Fair enough?

Certain situations and venues promote dishonesty as a defense. The courtroom is probably the most dishonest place on the planet. For example, in a divorce trial, the opponents and their crooked lawyers will lie prodigiously on the one hand, and stretch the crap out of the truth on the other hand to cover their arses and protect their monetary and material goods.

Lawyers and politicians are among the worst offenders, far surpassing used car and snake oil salesmen ... excuse me ... salespersons.

My rule of thumb: Use common sense. If you are trying to protect yourself, and it doesn't hurt anyone else, blow it off. If it is complicated, think it through. If you don't care about yourself at all, always tell the truth, even though it is just your own version.

;^}