Would I Lie to You?

Book excerpt: What would it mean to commit to unconditional honesty and what impact might that have on our lives? Inspired by her popular New York Times article, "How Honesty Could Make You Happier," award-winning journalist Judi Ketteler takes a deep dive into the hard truths about honesty, from the personal to the political... We're incensed by politicians who lie and corporations that cheat, but when it comes to our own honesty choices, we often barely notice. So, what happens when we do notice? Judi Ketteler thought of herself as an honest person. And yet, she knew it wasn't the whole story... How often was Judi engaging in the same dishonest behavior she was condemning in others? To answer that question, she started her "Honesty Journal," and set out to confront her perennial fear of speaking the truth in a range of situations--including with friends, her kids, and even inside her complicated marriage. The result is a timely consideration of the joys and pains of truth in a world that seems committed to lying.