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Gary Beck Reads

Proportionate Response

Some of us believe
a fib, a little white lie
is not a sin.
And if it’s done
in innocence
it’s not a grievous fault,
especially when
it’s meant to spare the feelings
of a sensitive loved one.

Yet others insist
the small lie
is the seed of deception
that grows into distortion,
propaganda, brain-washing.

So we use instructive adages,
‘Honesty is the best policy’,
‘It’s a sin to tell a lie’,
to teach youngsters
the value of truth,
despite our living
in a dishonest world.
​

Gary Beck

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