BIG or SMALL, LIES are LIES.....

The rules are simple: they lie to us, we know they're lying, they know we know they're lying, but they keep lying to us, and we keep pretending to believe them.

--- Elena Gorokhova

Lying is a part of human nature. Probably, almost everyone has lied at some point in their life, whether it was to avoid trouble or to get oneself out of a difficult situation or to obtain something that was out of reach. Telling small lies may initially seem harmless, but these can harm relationships, trust, and even one's own conscience. Small lies can lead to more significant problems and can damage relationships permanently.

There are several reasons why people indulge in telling small lies:

1. Fear: People may be afraid of the consequences of telling the truth, such as getting in trouble or hurting someone's feelings. So, they opt to tell small lies to avoid confrontations and maintain a peaceful situation.

2. Ego: People may want to present themselves in a better light and bolster their ego, even if it means telling small lies. They may want to present an ideal version of themselves and gain approval from others.

3. Habit: People may get into the habit of telling small lies as a method of avoiding uncomfortable situations or bending the truth to suit their needs. It can become a habit that is hard to break.

4. Pressure: People may feel pressure to tell small lies in certain situations, such as job interviews or social events, where they feel the need to impress or perform.

Here are some tips to avoid telling small lies:

1. Be Honest: Honesty is the best policy, and it's essential to be truthful in all situations. It's okay to admit when you don't know something or when you've made a mistake. Instead of telling a small lie to save face or maintain an image, it's better to be honest and clear up miscommunications.

2. Think Before You Speak: Sometimes, people tell small lies impulsively without realizing the impact their words can have. Before you say something, ask yourself if it's true, necessary, and kind. If it doesn't meet those criteria, don't say it.

3. Keep Promises: When you make a promise, keep it. If you can't fulfil the promise, don't make it in the first place. Breaking promises or lying about them can damage trust and lead to long-term consequences.

4. Accept Consequences: It's easy to tell a small lie to avoid getting into trouble, but it's better to face the consequences of your actions. Admit to your mistakes and take responsibility. Doing so will build a better reputation for yourself in the long run.

5. Empathize: Think about how your lie will affect others. Putting yourself in their shoes can help you understand the impact of your lies. It's always better to be honest than to hurt someone else.

Well, here are some illustrations of how small lies can cause big damage:

1. The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: In 2015, Volkswagen admitted to cheating on emissions tests for some of their diesel-powered cars. The company installed a device that could detect when the car was undergoing emissions tests and lowered emissions to pass. However, when the cars were on the road, they emitted up to 40 times the allowable limit. This small lie resulted in a huge scandal that cost the company billions of dollars in fines and lawsuits.

2. Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal: Lance Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, was caught using performance-enhancing drugs. For years, he had denied using any illegal substances and sued anyone who accused him of doing so. However, after an investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, he admitted to using banned substances throughout his cycling career. His lies tarnished his reputation and led to losses of sponsorships and millions of dollars.

3. Chernobyl Disaster: In 1986, a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, exploded and released a large amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere. The disaster was caused by a small lie told by one of the technicians who intentionally disabled the safety systems of the reactor to perform an unauthorized experiment. This lie resulted in the death of two plant workers, and the subsequent radioactive disaster affected the health and lives of thousands of people in the surrounding areas.

4. Enron Scandal: Enron was one of the largest energy-trading companies in the world. In the early 2000s, Enron executives were found guilty of lying and manipulating financial data to inflate the company's profits. Their small lies led to a huge scandal that resulted in the collapse of the company, which led to thousands of people losing their jobs, pensions, and retirement investments. The ripple effect of this scandal also affected the economy and the general public.

5. Flint Water Crisis: In 2014, the water source in Flint, Michigan, was switched to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure. However, the small lies told by city officials about the quality of the water and the safety of the water treatment system led to a city-wide crisis. The water was found to have dangerous levels of lead, which led to long-term health problems for the residents, especially children. The small lies told by officials initially cost millions of dollars and resulted in lawsuits and criminal charges.

6. Vyapam Scam: The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), also known as Vyapam, is responsible for conducting entrance exams for various professional courses in the state. Between 2007 and 2013, several people, were accused of rigging the entrance exams and taking bribes for admissions. The small lies told by these individuals led to a massive scam that affected thousands of students and their families.

7. PNB Scam: In 2018, Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of the largest public sector banks in India, discovered a fraud worth over Rs 14,000 crore. The scam was executed by two employees who issued fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to companies owned by Nirav Modi, a jeweler who fled India. The small lies told by the employees about the existence of these LoUs led to a significant financial loss to the bank and the nation.

3. Kodaikanal Mercury Poisoning: In 2001, Unilever's thermometer factory in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, was shut down after it was found to have released toxic mercury waste, which led to the mercury poisoning of the workers and the surrounding environment. The small lies told by the company about the safety of the factory's operations and the level of mercury pollution resulted in devastating health and environmental consequences.

Therefore, the small lies can cause enormous damage to individuals, society, and the country as a whole. It's essential to be honest and ethical in all actions to prevent such incidents from happening and ensure the well-being of everyone.