The Big Read: At times, a lie is an act of kindness

Is it okay to lie? If you're a reasonably decent South African you would of course revolt at the idea that such a question could even be posed. Children are taught from a very young age that lying is reprehensible and any one of you will remember a parent's favourite moralising message on the subject like "tell the truth and shame the devil" or one borrowed, like "O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive.