Most kids learn the story about George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, and when he was asked about it, he said, “I cannot tell a lie. I did it.” That story is a lie. It never happened.
Do you know the story about Columbus telling everyone that he had a faster route to India because he knew the world was round while everyone else thought the world was flat? That story is a lie. Everyone knew the world was round. They had maps from Ptolemy from around the year 100.
When Benjamin Franklin started his Poor Richard’s Almanac, he wrote in it that his biggest competitor with a well-established almanac died. That was a lie– he was still alive. However, everyone knew it was not true.
Lies have been told throughout history. Some as lighthearted jokes. Some as anecdotes used to teach moral lessons, some to jazz up historical stories trying to get young students interested in history, and some as practical jokes that everyone knew were not true, but really pissed off the target of the prank.
However, today lying is a pervasive illness in our society and has become a normal occurrence that is accepted by a widespread disregard of the facts and a universal enabling of those spewing lies to continue with them.
When “everybody” is doing it, it looks like it is OK, cool and just another way to do things. Well, it isn’t. I know there is a temptation to lie when you see so many doing it, especially well-known public officials, church leaders and scions of industry. Well, it is not ok. Sometimes a lie might be told once or twice either as a mistake, error or because of a particular circumstance. And it was easy, got the desired effect, the liar didn’t get caught, and then that leads to lying on purpose to get the desired result that is easier to attain than working for it.
You could even get away with it repeatedly. However, two things happen. People start noticing the lies, and while they usually will not say anything, you get pegged as a liar, a shortcutter, a sneak and someone that cannot be trusted. You’ll likely never be confronted with it, but your reputation and credibility would be irrevocably and forever damaged. Not just by those that know you, but by those you will meet. Untruthful people seem to emit a dark cloud that is easily detected and noticed. They also are never relied on by anyone close to them.
The successful people I know have an inner drive to do well at everything they do. Their ego forbids them to do less than the best they could do. They are very competitive, not with others, but with themselves. They are constantly challenging themselves to achieve more. What type of dummy cheats on themselves? They are racing a race against their internal self and want to win every race. Cheaters don’t win. They might win a few races, but they will lose the marathon of their life, denigrating themselves and those around them. Sure, some will win high-profile races, but they are rare exceptions and are not deserving of emulation and glorification. The tragedy for them is they are unaware of the vilification they earned. As for me, I could not care less about these jerks and losers.
You passed through many pathways to get here. You are to be commended for your perspicacity and drive that got you here. From the first step you take when you walk out of here with your diplomas, you will have many more pathways to walk on and cross. Do not undermine the hard work you did, the sacrifices you made, and the dreams you have by taking the paths of getting away with something rather than the paths of righteousness and inner strength. Be truthful and build the reputation your moms and dads, aunts and uncles or grandparents wished for you and that you wish for yourself and deserve. Do not lie. Make yourself the guiding light for trustworthiness. The lying needs to stop and it can stop with you. Someone has to start the stop and let it be you.
Start the stop!
BTW, I was never asked to present a graduation speech, and this is not a real speech, but the speech I would have presented if I was asked. This blog follows an annual tradition I started in 2015, and if you want a reprint of all of these “inspiring” speeches, email me at [email protected] and put Graduation Speeches as the subject. No messages please since I send these out myself.
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