Topic |
Which of the following would be the best way to deal with every circumstance, Honesty, or Deception? Plan and write your essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations. |
Essay |
"Honesty is always the best policy" may be a trite saying, but it holds an enourmous amount of truth. Though deception often allows one to escape immediate repercussions, the truth will always emerge. In most situations, one will find that deception does not offer the same long-term benefits as honesty does.
Sometimes deception occurs in the form of white lies. For instance, my cousin Haejin was invited to her friend's wedding in Seoul and she asked for my opinion on her dress. Her dress was a hideous creation; it literally looked like a mass of cabages swen together. But i smiled and told Haejin that the dress was beautiful anyway. How could I ruin her excitement over the dress? Looking back at that one moment, I probably should have told her the truth, considering that the guests laughed at her. She had trusted me to give an honest, helpful opinion, but, instead, I led her to humiliation.
With regards to more serious matters, however, deception can lead to more dire consequences. Cheating on a test, for instance, may result in failure of a class or expulsion from school. My brother had helped his best friend cheat on a math test, but confessed the truth to the teacher immediately afterwards. The teacher only forced the two boys to retake the test because she appreciated their honesty. If my brother had not approached his teacher, he might have been kicked out of school. Furthremore, my brother's decision serves as an example of morality to his friend and other students. Thus, he saved his friend from more serious punishment, which would have been his justification for lying anyway.
Despite these advantages to telling the truth, deception can still be rather tempting. For instance, how can one explain the death of a relative to an innocent child? Is it justified to lie to him in order to protect him from the harshness of reality? Should a child learn about war? If one gives children sugar-coated versions of the truth, they may feel even greater shock when they discover the facts. Deception is often a kind, protective gesture, but truth can prepare a child for the future. If revealed gradually, truth offers valuable knowledges.
Thus, one can view deception as a sweet treat. It is like a cookie that satisfies hunger and gives immediate pleasure. However, the cookie will only cause poor health in the future. Similarly, deception appears to be a justifiable and sometimes even compassionate, but it only holds future problems.
>> 일전의 에세이(한달전)가 본론에서의 분량이 상당히 적은 느낌이 들어 어제 쓴 에세이도 올렸습니다... 만 단어수가 거의 거기서 거기군요. ('^ ';) 호된 질책 부탁드리겠습니다, 감사합니다! ^ㅡ^ Total time consumed: 29:31. |