Honesty is about clarity of communication and accuracy of information. One can be gentle, thoughtful, indifferent, rude, or vicious with truths. Or untruths for that matter.
It is worth considering, before saying anything, whether it needs to be said. Some truths, if kept secret or distorted, can do terrible damage. Others will do more harm than good if let loose. It is not always easy to tell the difference, but it is important. Then too, some people can't talk about some things; they lock up. So allowance has to made for that as well.
In dealing with unpleasant truths, the best one can do is try to minimize the damage. Honesty should not be an excuse for hurting people needlessly, any more than politeness should be an excuse for lying.
Re: Thoughts
It is worth considering, before saying anything, whether it needs to be said. Some truths, if kept secret or distorted, can do terrible damage. Others will do more harm than good if let loose. It is not always easy to tell the difference, but it is important. Then too, some people can't talk about some things; they lock up. So allowance has to made for that as well.
In dealing with unpleasant truths, the best one can do is try to minimize the damage. Honesty should not be an excuse for hurting people needlessly, any more than politeness should be an excuse for lying.