What constitutes a lie?

Everybody lies. That's a well-established fact from the many seasons of House. Then when I consider how often I lie, I wonder whether others do it as often as I do. What triggered this stream of thought? Well the fact that I told a million lies to various people to get myself into the classes I wanted. I've realised by the end of it all--- every line in the conversation I've had with my teachers was a lie. I lied to my previous maths teacher, saying that I wasn't coming to class because I was going to another chemistry class. Then I lied to my chemistry teacher, saying that I had my maths classes sorted, and that I had to be in that particular class for chemistry. Afterwards I lied to my current maths teacher, saying that I couldn't possibly do anything about my maths lines, so I had to be in his class. Of course I could do something about it. I just didn't want to get stuck with a shitty chemistry teacher. He looked dubious, and was perhaps the only person who had some idea that I was just spinning a fantasy around myself. "Don't worry, I'll get everything sorted," I said. That was also a lie. I had no idea what the fuck was going to happen, and I was anticipating a giant mess. My anticipation was quite justified.

My only thought then was "fuck."

Later on I got in trouble, because I haven't been going to class and my lines were, in fact, a giant mess. I seem to have upset my teachers quite a bit- then I lied more. "Yeah and things just happened, then I had no maths class and had to move all over the place." I switched to  more indirect methods, where I mislead and held back the truth. Language works in wonderful ways. I must say, misinterpreted implication is a beautiful thing. By the end of the conversation I was no longer in trouble, everything was "cleared" and we were on good terms once again.

I now have the best possible outcome- I'm in the right chemistry line, and I have my favourite teacher teaching me maths. This means I'm going to have an excellent time ahead of me. Is there, then, some merit to lying? Lying had sunk me into a mess, but I could only pull myself out with more lies. I sometimes exaggerate, saying that "I'll do whatever I have to, to obtain what I want." That makes me sound much more determined and willful than I actually am. This class-change thing has dragged out for much longer than I had intended, and it is only an insignificant detail in my life. This is only my first taste, a small sip, of using somewhat unconventional methods to achieve my goals-- and this has been enough to shake the foundation of my moral constitution. I had previously believed, that though we might lie, it will eventually be found out, and no matter how much you lie, your character shines through. "Lying is for the weak", my over-inflated ego told me, "It is when someone cannot afford to reveal their true intentions that they deceive." Holding that as as principle, I had refrained from lying- at most I concealed the truth, but I never offered an alternate version with the intention of deceit.

I thought I wouldn't have to though.

Then I started thinking, "how does telling the truth benefit me in any way?" It seemed that nobody enjoyed the truth, and whatever I had said only upset the people around me, and as a consequence they made me miserable. When I lied, however, it worked wonders. I tell my parents that I've finished my homework, even though I have 5 essays to go. I assure my friends that I'll do my part of the assignment, even though I have no idea whether I will finish. The biggest lie I tell, and the one I tell most often, however, is "everything will be alright."

Such a simple line. Easy assurance. Everyone feels much better afterwards. Then it turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Then it's not a lie, is it? It did in fact happen. Does that mean, then, that I did not lie to any of my teachers in the first place? My chemistry lines are in fact switched. My maths lines are in the right places. I did get everything sorted. It was not a truth then, but it is a truth now. Are we concerned with the process or the consequences? Or both? Yet now I bear only the burden of the consequences, and not the burden of my previous actions. That will soon be forgotten. 6 months is a long time.

I think I like lies. I suppose I do not like to be deceived, but if I never knew, I cannot possibly care about being deceived. Lies make people happy, as long as they are not uncovered. Though we concern ourselves with the truth, and we are wary of the deceit of the media, of politicians, of second-hand car salesmen--- Perhaps we should consider the fact that, maybe, just maybe, lies make this world a better place.

Or at the very least, a more interesting place.