The Lie that Saved Me

maxub (57)in Steem4Nigeria • last month

The Lie That Saved Me — But Taught Me a Big Lesson

Everyone has told a lie at some point, but not every lie leaves you unchanged. In this post, I share a real-life story where a simple lie saved me temporarily but taught me powerful lessons about honesty, guilt, and trust. Read on to find out why truth is always the better choice , no matter how tempting the shortcut might seem.

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My Experience: A Simple Lie, A Heavy Heart

It happened during my secondary school days in Owerri.
It was a normal Tuesday morning, but I had forgotten to do my Agricultural Science homework, a serious offense with my strict teacher.

When she called on me to submit my work, fear took over. I quickly said,

"Ma, I left it at home because my younger brother spilled water on it."

In reality, I had simply forgotten.

To my surprise, she nodded with sympathy and allowed me to submit it the next day.
I walked back to my seat feeling relieved, but deep down, guilt started growing.
That night, I struggled to sleep. I realized I had escaped punishment, but at the cost of my honesty.

The next day, I not only submitted the homework but also promised myself:
Never again will I cover my mistakes with lies.

That small lie saved me from immediate embarrassment, but it taught me that living with guilt is heavier than facing the truth.

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Does It Really Pay to Lie?

No, it doesn’t.

While lying might bring temporary relief, it destroys trust in the long run.
Once people catch you lying, they may never trust your words again — even when you are telling the truth.

A moment’s gain is not worth a lifetime’s reputation.

Are Deceitful Jokes Considered Lies?

Yes, they are.

Sometimes, people hide behind "jokes" to deceive others.
Even if the truth comes out later and everyone laughs, deceitful jokes still count as lies because they mislead people.

True jokes bring laughter without causing confusion or hurt.

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Business and Honesty: The Woman and the Price Story

Let’s consider a real-life situation:

A woman tells a customer that the price of a product is 100 steems, while the real value is 80 steems.

Is she lying or just doing business?

She is lying.

Business must be based on honesty and transparency.
Adding a profit margin is normal — but deceitfully inflating the price without openness is wrong.

In the short term, she might make more money.
But in the long term, customers lose trust and walk away.