“SAY WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, NOT WHAT YOU OUGHT. ANY
TRUTH IS BETTER THAN MAKE-BELIEVE.”
— HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Suppose you are in class. You notice your friend’s side kick is way too low. Your friend asks, “Is my side kick okay?” You do not need to tell them, “Your side kick is bad.” That will only hurt their feelings. But you should not lie and tell them it is a perfect kick. Then they won’t learn. Instead, you can say, “Your legs look really strong! I think your kick would be even better if it were a little bit higher.”
Ask Your Students:
- Why is it important to be honest when someone asks a question?
- How does honesty help?
- How would your friend feel if they found out you lied about their kick?
- How does a lie hurt in the long run?