A truth that’s told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.

A fact can be a weapon. Say something entirely accurate at the wrong moment, to the wrong person, chosen precisely because it will wound, and you have done more harm than an invented story would have done, with the added defence that you only told the truth. Honesty is about your intent as much as your accuracy.

Before you deliver a hard truth, ask what you want to happen after you say it. If the honest answer is that you want them to feel small, the accuracy will not redeem it. Wait until you want them to be better off for having heard it.