THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH
One should always speak truthfully; as the Torah says, Midvar sheker tirchak – “Distance yourself from falsehood." Even if the proposed lie will not cause any harm to anyone, it is forbidden to tamper with a story. Moreover, whoever is careful to ascertain the facts of a story before repeating it will always have many listeners.
(אורחות צדיקים שער כ"ב, ר"ח שער קדושה פי"ב)
There was once a town called Kushta (in Aramaic, "truth"), where the inhabitants never veered from the truth and no one died at a young age. The amora Rav Tavus moved to the town, married there, and had two sons. Once when his wife was washing herself, a neighbor knocked on their door, and feeling that it was inappropriate to say that she was bathing, Rav Tavus said that his wife was not there. As a result, shortly after, his two children died. When the townspeople heard the story, they asked him to leave Kushta and not bring the malach hamaves upon them.
(סנהדרין צ"ז ע"א וברש"י שם)
The Torah warns us to distance ourselves from falsehood, since falsehood is more disgusting than all other negative traits. One who speaks truth follows the path of HaShem, and merits His brachos; one who chooses falsehood invites upon himself worry, conflict and pain.
(ס' החינוך מצוה עד)
There was once a young man who, since his childhood, had always done as he pleased, and had committed many aveiros. One day, feeling remorseful, he went to Rebbi Shimon ben Shetach and told him he wanted to do teshuva. Rebbi Shimon told him that all he had to do was to watch himself from telling lies and he would be saved from transgression. "No problem,” said the young man. Rebbi Shimon had him swear, and the young man went home.
Some time later, the young man was in his neighbor's home and, not managing to control himself, he stole all the gold and silver. As he was leaving, he thought to himself, "What will I tell the neighbor when she asks about her possessions? If I deny taking them, it will be a lie, and what will be of my oath?"
He then returned whatever he had stolen, and understood the wisdom of Rebbi Shimon.
(אוצר המדרשים, ס' חסידים החדש ע' יג)
