Is honesty ever too much?

This lovely woman is Corrie ten Boom

Is there ever a time that telling a small lie is justified?

Normally I would say yes, however now I don’t know. I realize there are times when lying can save a lot of pain, etc. BUT I also read this amazing book The Hiding Place (which I highly, highly recommend) which has made me think about this a lot. This is the true story written by Corrie ten Boom who was a woman living in Holland at the time of WWII. It is a beautiful story about forgiveness, bravery, honesty and optimism among such hard times. The story that I am referring to happened to Corrie’s sister. At one point when her sister is hiding Jews, and others running from the regime, soldiers come to her house looking for them. As they are about to leave they look at the rug that covers the trap door where the people are hiding.
“Are there people hiding in there?” the soldiers ask.
“Yes,” was the simple response. This woman had never told a lie and she couldn’t do it now.
The soldiers thought surely she was joking so they didn’t even bother to check. Lucky, many would say. I believe that God blessed her to holding so strongly to the virtue she believed in.

I am not suggesting this type of honesty is or is not the way to live. I do believe in being honest, but I think for the most part in a situation such as this (which hopefully does not often happen and by often I mean ever again) it is up to our own judgment, conscience and thankfully the guidance of heavenly father.