There are useful statements that should be avoided. Some statements are true but not useful. Like telling your grandmother that she looks like an old hag. Some

There are useful statements that should be avoided. Some statements are true but not useful. Like telling your grandmother that she looks like an old hag. Some statements are useful but not true. Like pretending to be sick to avoid school. The damage from the latter can be more subtle but runs deeper. Things that are both useful -and- true, those are worth saying. It isn't always easy to tell what is useful, so it's best to rely on your intention. It's good enough to mean the best. When uncertain about usefulness, err on the side of being truthful.