Truth about lies

Critical thinking can be bettered by examining lies because the more you are able to discect such a topic, the more you can avoid it.  Its good to be able to determine why people tell lies, and what situations provoke them to tell certain types of lies. Not all lies are the same.  In my opinion, there is a difference between telling a friend you'll meet them at the mall in 5 minutes, when you know its going to be atleast 10, and a major food corporation using harmful chemicals to produce their products, and telling the consumers it is completely harmless. This being said, I do believe that honesty is the best policy.  But lies are relative to each individual situation.