Is it really lying if you both know it’s a lie?  Isn’t it just… a temporary suspension of disbelief?  Like going to the theatre…  Just turn out the lights and tell pretty lies and suspend your disbelief just for a little while… Can’t it be kind to suspend disbelief for a little while?  If you both know it’s a lie…  Can’t it be a gift?  To say…  You are worth something to someone…    You are good and decent…  You are lovable…  You are loved…  Is the truth really better?