Some people lie like they breathe, it’s automatic, and doesn’t have any meaning. It’s not meant to be malicious.
Lies, similarly, are fundamentally destructive - a lie is a piece of invalid data that corrupts, to smaller or greater extent, the minds of everyone who come in contact with it. Incorporating a lie in your reasoning moves you further from accurately perceiving reality. Sometimes, very rarely, a lie may be justified - the best of available options, even accounting for second-order effects. Usually, it isn't. But it matters whether the lie was accidental, good-faith, attempt at poisoning someone's mind, or wanton disregard for peoples' ability to grasp reality.
We suspect an enemy of the revolution is being harbored in hour house. Are you hiding this person? (forgive the preposterous example, but I hope you get my intent). It could be someone hiding from a jealous lover, someone hiding from loan sharks, etc.
There are also more fuzzy ones. Since I mentioned medicine: there's an ongoing discussion in the medical community as to if and when lies by omission are OK - is there a point to informing the patient about something they can do nothing about, when if they learn about it, it would cause them great amount of emotional distress? Caring for health doesn't mean just servicing the body like a mechanic, but also catering for person's emotional well-being.
The point I was trying to make is that lies, by default, are bad things (much like being cut by a blade). Intent, care and consequences are what can make lies very bad, or - sometimes - good.
Quite annoyed to find out it was a translation issue.
You don’t lie then testify against people. Which is a highly specific and malicious sort of lie.
Did you do the dishes is another.
Have kids. Did you eat chocolate bar? No!!!! So how did the chocolate get all over your face?
Intent very much matters. It's right there at the beginning of the reading on the topic. (The Republic, Book I)
See, you have no right to decide another's state of mind is 'not right'. That's taking their agency from them, treating them like an incompetent child. Like trying to 'murder their Self' or some such.
You can say for instance "I know where they are but you're upset. Can we talk about this before you do something you'll regret?"
If it’s meant to hurt. Then that’s a bad person.
Otherwise it’s a personality flaw that needs to be addressed. Like the “pull my finger uncle”
It’s very troublesome regardless.