do you value kindness or truth more?

[katia]

i'd rather know what's real than what won't hurt my feelings any day.

thank you for your ponderings......=)

[Wendy]

i'd rather know what's real than what won't hurt my feelings any day.

I'd rather someone be kind when they tell me the truth rather than mean when they tell me the truth.

If the truth can only cause harm then be kind when you lie.

I try to avoid the people that are mean when they lie.

That was easy. 

[Elizabeth]

Katia,

Generally I prefer honesty to kindness. However, there are times when  kind word don't hurt anything. Also, I don't assume that is true of others. Most people would prefer a compliment to the truth when it comes to their appearance, or their home, things like that, but when it comes to important things like health, what's in their food, they prefer the truth.

So my final answer is, it all depends on the situation. If I had to choose unconditionally, I would choose truth.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[The Middle Way]

IF the truth can only cause harm, why say anything at all?
How are truth and kindness by definition posing as opposites?
Do I have to pick one over the other?

It might appear that one's experience with truth has resulted in mainly unkindness, and/or one's experience with kindness has generally included a prerequisite dose of insincerity.

What's the context?

None of the above

[Nero]

It depends on the situation.  I don't like unsolicited 'truthful' comments, but if I ask, I want the truth.

[no_id]

I generally prefer truth, and personally do not mind how it is brought to me.
However, there must be a reason why managers enroll in communication courses.

In my eyes this has more to do with assertive-agressive, assertive and passive with assertiveness being the preferred one. </the point of view of a Communication student>

[HelenW]

It sounds as if the question assumes that truth and kindness are mutually exclusive.  I like to think that the truth can be told kindly, with love.  Then, even if it's negative, it it isn't unkind and has a great likelihood of being accepted without rancor.

I value truth told with kindness and love.

hugs & smiles
Emelye