Does honesty really matter?

“All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness.”
― Tennessee William

In a world full of  fake smiles, does honesty really matter? And is honesty the same as being truthful? There are two types of honesty - one is the clear and well defined one -not stealing, not being crook honest - that is the very basis of a still functioning world. The other is being honest in your thoughts and feelings. Saying what you  mean and meaning what you say type of honest. Being genuine, being frank- all supposedly virtues- which although makes life simple, is not practical. 

I have often prided myself on being outspoken, and being apparently honest. There have been more times than I dare to remember when my "honest" opinion has gotten me into trouble. In all these years, being honest and open was one thing I never doubted to be wrong. Maybe it is age, maybe it is part of growing up but I am finally learning to admit that honesty is not always the best policy. Facts are not truth, although they might be basis for truth. Nor are opinions -what I think honestly doesn't matter.Opinions are biased, they are your snapshot of a situation, so how can being honest help?

The only person we truly need to be brutally honest is with ourselves. The moment we start lying to ourselves, the moment we twist the truth or brush it with a layer of lies - we are in trouble. The problem is being to truthful to yourself is not only hurtful but needs introspection. Just like we sugarcoat words with others, we do so with ourselves too. Although many times it does feel unnecessary to look deep inside with magnifying glasses, in the long run, lying to ourselves results in running away from our fears and insecurities.

Honesty is a relative term - a very personal opinion. Screening information, selective truth is the way to sustain not only your sanity but also to maintain relationships.