Truth is definitely better than lying, but there are many unseen difficulties that come along with genuine honesty. Szonyi Gábor writes in the article “Challenges of Honesty*,” that the effects of honesty can lead to pain, misunderstanding, and immortality. Through the use of information from researcher Ferenczi’s psychology experiments, we can see the many different unavoidable conflicts and ethical issues with truth.

Limits of Honesty:
Fascinated by trying to heal patients through psychoanalysis, Sandor Ferenczi tests a group of people asking them, “tell (me)...what you have on your mind” (Gábor 341). In these experiments he finds out that honesty without censoring is a difficult task. Due to misunderstandings and experiences in the past, people view things through cognitive bias and answer accordingly.

For the townspeople, external honesty is an easy task. Loudly and publicly they describe their view on the situation: “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die” (Hawthorne 80).

Ethical aspect of Honesty:
When talking to a person, words are a powerful weapon to destroy someone. Although it could be the truth, both sides of a relationship or conversation can feel rejected and hurt.
Even Ferenczi admits the struggles and frustrations after therapy sessions, “(the) intensity in the transference/countertransference interactions that many of us would be unlikely to be able to handle” (Gábor 342).

In the Scarlet Letter, Hester stays in Boston because the label of an outcast and adulterer that can’t be removed: “It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself” (Hawthorne 82).

Self- analysis of Honesty:
One of the hardest tasks to do is self reflect and analyze honesty. This personal task can help obstacles of internal honesty to be seen as stop signs. To admit your faults and accept the pain can be a lifelong struggle and burden especially when that pain comes from others.

Hester’s guilt and sorrow affected even the blessings of life, “for the one blessing of her life… for a retribution too; a torture” (Hawthorne 178).

“she perchance underwent an agony from every footstep of those that thronged to see her, as if her heart had been flung in the street for them all to spurn and trample upon” (Hawthorne 84).

Conclusion:

We realize that honesty is a moral issue. Honesty can always become a painful exercise. And though there is conflict of being honest or not, analyzing honesty and changing our lenses can bring about better understanding of the negative effects of truth.