Honesty without consideration can become laziness disguised as virtue.

Honesty is sometimes used as cover for not doing the harder work of saying something well. Blurting out a truth with no attention to timing, framing, or the person’s state is easier than delivering it carefully, and calling it honesty makes the ease look like principle.

When you are about to be very direct, ask whether the bluntness serves them or you. Both can be true. But if the honest thing could be said in a way that is equally true and considerably easier to receive, saying it the harder way is a choice, and worth owning as one.