SKS Swaminarayan Shikshapatri Slok 26

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SKS Swaminarayan Shikshapatri Slok 26
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Slok 26

• One shall never speak such truth which might
  bring about harm to oneself  or others, nor keep
  the company of ungrateful people, nor take any
  bribe from anyone in social affairs.

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Slok 26

• Honesty is almost certainly the best policy,
  however there are some exceptions to this rule. 
  Lord Swaminarayan explains that one shall not
  speak the truth, if such truth results in harm to
  oneself or others.  It is said that there is
  absolutely no benefit in causing harm to oneself
  or to others.  One cannot attain Punya through
  such action.  In this way, the consolidation of
  Ahimsa Dharma is foremost.
• Shastras write Svadrohat Tav Kopaha
  Parasampindya Cha Tathadharma - harm to oneself
  will simply invoke rage and harm to others is
  Adharmic (unrighteous).
• Honesty is cherished in Hinduism. Truth (Satya)
  is one of the foundations of Dharma.  But why is
  this so? Yajur Vedas Brahmana explains, Those
  who speak the truth are compared to feeding Ghee
  to Agni(fire).  By so doing the fire burns
  brightly, thus an honest person exudes brilliance
  in much the same way.  They are endowed with
  qualities of goodness which are representative of
  bliss and external salvation. However, those who
  lie are compared to putting water into the fire,
  thus extinguishing such brilliance.  Such people
  have no brilliance and are forever endowed in
  sinful acts.  Therefore one must always speak the
  truth.

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Slok 26

• Shrimad Bhagwat offers other situations where it
  is acceptable (and without sin) to lie, One
  should never speak falsely.  Those who do not
  become renowned.  Such persons are considered
  dead, though they are alive. However, if
  necessary, one may speak falsely in the following
  situations (1) in front of a woman (2) jokingly
  (3) at a wedding (4) to maintain oneself or
  provide for oneself (5) to save oneself or others
  from harm or even death (6) for a cow or
  Brahmin/Guru and (7) for non-violent purposes.
• Note, that there is emphasis of lying if
  necessary here.  Some of the situations seem a
  little questionable.  To lie in front of a woman
  is acceptable - this to many women may seem
  offensive but there is a good reason for this -
  women cant keep a secret!  This isnt my
  personal opinion but is fact.  The reason for
  this is that Maharaja Yudhishtira set forth a
  curse to all women, that they will never be able
  to keep a secret as Mother Kunta did not tell the
  Pandavas that Karana (Radheya) was their elder
  brother. Therefore, if something is to be kept a
  secret, then you may lie to women.