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If you're truly honest, you'd say yes.

If you weren't honest, you'd lie and say yes.

If you were truly honest and say no, then you're not being honest about your honesty.

If you weren't honest and say no, then you're being honest which is a paradox.

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[-] cattywampas@lemm.ee 15 points 1 month ago

This only holds true if you define "honest" as "tells the truth 100% of the time" and "dishonest" or "not honest" as "lies 100% of the time."

[-] Goretantath@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago

Nah, only the first part needs hold true, no need to define dishonest as lies 100% of the time.

[-] hig13@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

Not sure why the down votes... You can be dishonest and truthful but you cannot be dishonest and honest. You can mix truths in with lies and that would still absolutely be considered dishonest, but you cannot mix lies into truths and still be honest.

[-] dbtng@eviltoast.org 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This question is a trap, and its easy to dodge.

An actually honest answer would be something like "I try to be honest."
I would probably float something just like that. Add a bit of fake humility. Not too much.
If people are really looking for the truth, that will look like truth to them. It will also happen to be the truth, as vague as it is, so if they want to dig it won't be hard to carry on. Keep it reassuring. Don't actually say anything definite. Act pious. :]

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liar_paradox

[-] nebulaone@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

I'd trust people who say "no" more, tbh.

[-] FiskFisk33@startrek.website 6 points 1 month ago

not being honest doesnt mean you always lie

[-] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago

A dishonest person does not have to lie literally all the time.

[-] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Unless they're in a riddle guarding a door or something.

[-] psx_crab@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 month ago

It's only that one time and Jason there is already accusing me that i lie all the time.

[-] Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

That's just lack of commitment

[-] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This guy is a straight-shooter with upper-management written all over him

[-] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Conversely, if asked if you're a dirty rotten liar, the only logical answer is "no".

[-] owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

You're assuming the answer must be binary, where "yes" means you're honest all the time and "no" means you're dishonest all the time. Those characters show up in riddles, but in reality, most people are somewhere on the scale in between perfectly-honest and perfectly-dishonest.

Even the question "are you an honest person?" would, to most people, mean "are you generally honest?" Either answer makes sense here.

[-] Kraiden@kbin.earth 1 points 1 month ago

The truely dishonest will happily use honesty when it's in their best interest, and the truely honest are aware that they have probably been dishonest at some point, and should say they try, but might have low self esteem and impossibly high self expectations leading them to say no, because they were dishonest that one time, and so know they're capable of it...

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

If I wasn't an honest person, I would also say yes.

A truly honest person may recognize they aren't always honest, and say no.

[-] wasabi@feddit.org 1 points 1 month ago

Being honest once doesn't make you an honest person, though.

[-] optional@piefed.social 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)
this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2025
25 points (85.7% liked)

Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.

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