July 23, 2000    
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Are most people honest?

Most people think they are honest. They don't lie to other people any more than they lie to themselves. Do I trust most people? Yes, until I have reason to distrust them.

Jill, 59
Saylorsburg
, PA

NO

Paul, 30
Lowell
, MA

i think most people think of themselves as "honest," that is to say legitimate law-abiding people. For the most part, i suspect they actually are. . . .

mothmc, 35
Los Angeles
, LA

I would like to think so, however, I have had experiences with some dishonest and manipulative people. As a general rule, I believe most people are honest.

Ernest, 29
Washington
, DC

Most people I know are, but i've also met people who lied on a regular basis.

Tsera
Toronto, Ontario CANADA

You don't want an honest answer to that question, do you? I think most people are generally honest, it's just that their opinion of honesty and what the truth is changes, depending on a multitude of factors.

Jaden, 21
Brampton, Ontario CANADA

I think people are honest only when it benefits themselves. If you know you are going to get into trouble you're going to lie. If you are already suspected of lying, most of the time you'll tell the truth. Sometimes you have to not be honest to get what you want. I don't think that there is one person on this earth that can be honest all of the time.

Kate, 19
Bellingham
, WA

I think that they think they are, but they aren't.

Susan, 31
Chicago
, IL

I believe most people have honest intentions in their hearts, but have not learned how to control the negetive influences on their actions or words.

Megan, 24
Chicago
, IL

I think that the majority of humans are big fat liars.

Tina, 31
Medford
, MA

MOST of us are, or at least want to be. I think its harder to be honest within yourself than to others.

Pamela, 39
Sugar Hill
, GA

I would like to think so, but you never know! I know someone who lost her engagement ring in a church parking lot and even though they looked for it right away, whoever found it did not turn it in. Can you imagine...at a church!

Tracy, 24
Ocean City
, NJ

Yes and I always give people the benifit of the doubt, what a bizarre  expression: "The benifit of the doubt".... Let's just say - I trust people untill they prove me wrong

Jami, 27
Lowell
, MA

I don't know. I find myself surrounded by honest people, but I think I've helped make that happen. I could surround myself with dishonest people if that was my aim.

Jesse, 24
Bowie
, MD

Yes!  This goes to show I'm one of them ;)  Trust me, don't you?

Amy, 23
New Orleans
, LA

I believe that everyone is a liar, and everyone is very honest, if you catch them at the right moment.

Socrates One
Lowell, MA

no

Angela, 16
SC

I've never met anybody who was 100% honest, as far as I know. However, I think I probably rate way above average on the honesty scale. I haven't necessarily gotten the best possible results from honesty, but I at least feel okay about my value as a person.

Karen, 20
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA

There are so many forms of dishonesty. Most people aren't even honest about why they're dishonest, claiming whatever kind or watered downed words they say are said to avoid ruining someones self image when the truth is they don't have the guts to speak their mind. I guess that would be a 'no.'

Alias Irrelevante

All people are both honest and dishonest. It's a human condition.

Firelady, 22
Dallas
, TX

No! (a lie?)

Anthony, 25
Baton Rouge
, LA

I've no idea. I'd say that most people are honest enough, but there are more dishonest people out there than there should be if you ask me.

Shanna, 15
Cardiff ENGLAND

No, nobody is honest.

Melodi, 19
Hlliard
, OH

Some people are honest. I wouldn't say most people are.

Jeremy, 13
Highlands Ranch
, CO

I think most people like to believe they are.

Emma, 20
Perth AUSTRALIA

I would like to think so, but I'm not so sure if that's true.

Nicole
Elk Grove, CA

Depends on the topic.

Kevin, 33
Sugar Hill
, GA

Yes, most people are honest, up until about the age of 5/6 when they realise that little white lies get them out of tricky situations.  Adults are rarely honest, especially with themselves.

Nikki, 27
Kirkham ENGLAND

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