I think your definition of lying is a little more broad than mine. I would consider lying a deliberate effort to mislead someone from the truth or your actual opinion.
For example, if said person had a very beautiful daughter, and asked me for my opinion on it, I would have no problem telling him that she was indeed, beautiful.
Why would he need more information? If he's pressing for more details on a persons lust for his daughter, he has more problems than me answering him honestly (though with tact).
Likewise, if he mentioned how beautiful his daughter was and I went into vulgar or even vague detail about what I thought of her and her attributes, then I stepped out of line.
If the topic is never brought up, and I don't say anything, I am not in fact lying, there is nothing to be misleading to him.
On another note, if he asked where I saw myself in 5 years, I would answer honestly and suffer the consequences, if I did hope to start my business, I would mention that as an ultimate goal. Generally that will hurt your career opportunities with the current employer, but honestly, contract work might be the better option for you anyway if you're only after starting your own business.
I have through freelance work built up quite a relationship with a client who I wouldn't mind working full time for. And I would/do consider going contract full time occasionally, but I really have no plans to (I'm just not closed off to future opportunities, and I grew up in entrepreneurial house, so it's always going to be a desire to do my own thing). Should I tell my employer that if a great opportunity arises I would take it? Not at all, they know they have the power to negotiate situations like that, and they arn't unfamiliar with them either.
I do see your point though, if you're misleading someone who asked a direct question through inaction, it could be considered lying, though I try my hardest to avoid this.
For example, if said person had a very beautiful daughter, and asked me for my opinion on it, I would have no problem telling him that she was indeed, beautiful.
Why would he need more information? If he's pressing for more details on a persons lust for his daughter, he has more problems than me answering him honestly (though with tact).
Likewise, if he mentioned how beautiful his daughter was and I went into vulgar or even vague detail about what I thought of her and her attributes, then I stepped out of line.
If the topic is never brought up, and I don't say anything, I am not in fact lying, there is nothing to be misleading to him.
On another note, if he asked where I saw myself in 5 years, I would answer honestly and suffer the consequences, if I did hope to start my business, I would mention that as an ultimate goal. Generally that will hurt your career opportunities with the current employer, but honestly, contract work might be the better option for you anyway if you're only after starting your own business.
I have through freelance work built up quite a relationship with a client who I wouldn't mind working full time for. And I would/do consider going contract full time occasionally, but I really have no plans to (I'm just not closed off to future opportunities, and I grew up in entrepreneurial house, so it's always going to be a desire to do my own thing). Should I tell my employer that if a great opportunity arises I would take it? Not at all, they know they have the power to negotiate situations like that, and they arn't unfamiliar with them either.
I do see your point though, if you're misleading someone who asked a direct question through inaction, it could be considered lying, though I try my hardest to avoid this.