Notes:
This exchange is from the transcript of one of Linda Tripp's recordings of her telephone conversations with Monica Lewinsky. It is generally understood to be moral to lie in certain circumstances. A commonly cited example is when the Nazis are at the door seeking victims of their inhumanity. Indeed, it has even been observed that small "white" lies are the grease that smooths social interaction, since the full truth may be less than pleasing to those engaged in any of the various forms of intercourse.
However, as a widely known, respected, and admired spokesperson for young Americans, Monica's frank comments to her friend document how far our culture has strayed from the more pastoral time when a "man's word was his bond." Distasteful though it may be, she notes that lying is what we do to get along. Indeed, she points out, that's what our parents teach us.
Lying is ingrained as tacit knowledge in our cultural mores and beliefs.
