Truth never stands alone

Truth is a vision of the whole in all its complexity, not a pedantic description of the parts in all their simplicity. Is a lie told to save a life not better than a truth told that results in the loss of a life? Integrity should always be judged in context. Truth for the sake of truth – ignoring all consequences – may be as irresponsible as malevolent deception. For truth is but one strand in a web of relationships.

Truth never stands alone. It is always attached with silver threads to a larger dialogue. When it comes to truth, context matters. For sometimes a truth taken out of context is more deceptive than a lie. And often a truth spoken out of context is more damaging than a lie. So let the truth be judged on its impact, rather than its virtue. For many a virtue can turn to vice when applied inappropriately.

Therefore, we should always seek to apply the spirit, rather than the letter, of the law of truth. And the spirit is integrity, which means that which is good for the whole.