It’s time to dispel the notion that, where lying is concerned, a distinction can be made between public and private life. Some people believe lying in one area is OK, but this can cut either way: we tolerate a politician who lies because he is rigorously faithful to his wife. Or we excuse a friend’s marital infidelity because we believe him to be of complete integrity in business relationships.
Ross Perot pointed out that where lying is concerned, you cannot separate the spheres. He believed “anyone who lies to a spouse will lie to another.” Once a person violates a relationship of trust and reliance, all relationships become fair game.
