The Bad-News Duty
THE RULE
When reliable facts show a friend is being seriously deceived, tell him privately and stick to what you actually know.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Loyalty is not hiding smoke until the building is gone. It also is not turning a rumor into a five-part documentary.
WHEN IT DOES NOT APPLY
- The claim is only gossip with no reliable basis
- Telling him immediately would put someone in physical danger
- A qualified person is already handling a sensitive safety matter
EXAMPLES
- VIOLATION: You personally witness the deception and save the information for a public joke months later.
- NO VIOLATION: You arrange a private conversation, describe only what you saw, and let him decide the next step.