Wow, maybe she doesn't really have it together.

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dubner.

And you're listening to No Stupid Questions.

Today on the show, when is it okay to tell a lie?

I feel that I get more honest, the older I get, or maybe it's just cranky is the better word.

Also, is obsessing over your mental health actually bad for your mental health?

You don't, as they would say, my family growing up hang your dirty laundry outside.

Hello, Angela.

Stephen?

I want to talk about something that you recently touched on in your conversation with Lori Santos

when she said in for me.

By the way, I really enjoyed that conversation.

I just really enjoy it, Lori.

She's actually one of my favorite humans.

You guys talked a little bit about lying.

And I hope you don't mind me asking you a fairly personal question about it.

I want to know, how many times a day do you tell a lie?

And when and why is it okay to lie?

And maybe the answer to both questions is never, but I think that would put you well outside the normal range of humans.

I would like to say that I go days, if not weeks or months, without a single lie.

Wow.

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