世界上大部分甚至所有的文化和宗教都将诚实称赞为一种美德。如果要刘局出我们希望能在朋友或恋人身上扎到的一些品质,很多人都会把诚实列在首位。事实上,很多人也行认为诚实是其他人的事,而与自己无关。但是考虑到撒谎和欺骗会带来不良影响,我认为诚实会为自己带来的是最大的利益。
一方面,不诚实对心里健康也会带来严重的负面影响。不诚实的人即使他们尚未被“发现”,也会在心里承受内疚感和羞耻感。这是因为,尽管撒谎是不道德的,不部分撒谎的人内心深处还是有道德观念的。另一方面,那些做出误导或欺骗行为的人是迟早要被揭穿的。当然,一次次的谎言也学都可能会侥幸不被发现。但是,一旦发现,撒谎的人面临的可能就是巨大的损失,甚至导致他们身败名裂。根据欺诈的性质,有些人的谎言被揭露后,可能意味着失去工作,众叛亲离甚至有可能要蹲监狱。
总体而言,虽然我们周边的欺诈行为不可能被清除,但是我们可以决定自己是否要做一个诚实的人,城市到什么程度。考虑到撒谎带来的不良影响——包括损害精神健康以及受到惨重的损失,毋庸置疑,做一诚实的人是我们唯一的选择。
【参考范文】
Honesty is regarded as a virtue by most, if not all, of the world’s cultures and religions. Many of us, if asked to enumerate the qualities we seek in a friend or a partner, would place honesty at the top of the list. In reality, many people seem to think that being honest is for others and not for themselves. However, I believe that, given the negative consequences of lying and deception, practicing honesty is in our own best interest.
For one thing, being dishonest can have serious side-effects on our mental health. Dishonest people even if they have not yet been “found out”, are likely to carry guilt and shame inside them. This is because, although lying is an immoral, most liars still have a conscience deep down inside. For another thing, those who misleads or lie to others are bound to be caught sooner or later. Indeed, people may get away with lying once or even several times. However, the one time that they get caught could entail great loss, or even spell their downfall. Depending on the nature of deception, having one’s lies could mean losing one’s job, being deserted by friends and family, or even spending time in jail.
Generally speaking, while it may be impossible to eliminate the deceit that exists around us, each of us can decide whether, and to what extent, to practice truthfulness ourselves. Considering the adverse influence that lying can have—— including destroying our mental heath and , ultimately, causing us to suffer great loss—— it is apparent that honesty is our only viable option.