"礼儀を守るが、嘘をつくことに反対する人は、ファッショナブルに着飾っているがベストを着ていない人のようなものです。"
— Walter Benjamin
Simplified Meaning:
This quote compares a person who follows good manners but refuses to lie to someone who dresses stylishly but skips wearing an important piece of clothing, like a vest. Imagine someone putting on a fancy suit but forgetting an essential part, making their outfit incomplete. In the same way, when someone is polite but never tells lies even when it might be necessary (for example, to avoid hurting someone's feelings), their approach to social interactions is missing something important. Good manners sometimes involve small lies or bending the truth to keep harmony or avoid unnecessary rudeness. For example, if a friend asks if you like the homemade cake they made and it's not great, you might say it's good to make them feel happy. Knowing when to be completely honest and when to be polite can help you navigate social situations more smoothly. This kind of balance is key to maintaining good relationships with others.
