I have a family member who claims something similar. What i've come to understand though is that what he calls honesty is actually much better described as cru

I have a family member who claims something similar. What i've come to understand though is that what he calls honesty is actually much better described as cruelty. It's not "truth" in the sense of objective fact, it's more his own personal opinion, which in fairness he does share truthfully with those who didn't request it. Somehow his personal truth just doesn't account mitigating factors or compassion for the frailty and failings in others. This results in him being very harsh in his truthful appraisals of others. Interestingly, he manages to find such compassion and nuance in rare moments of self-reflection.