People Share the Biggest Lies They Told for Personal Gain
Updated Jan. 10 2019, 3:14 p.m. ET
As kids, we're always told cheaters never prosper. And it's true that, in the grand scheme of things, people who get things the easy way are usually never really happy with the results because we're the kind of animals who thrive when they've earned something. Those are the rules, I don't make them, but just look at at the lives of most people who lie, cheat, and steal their ways to success.
Now, that doesn't mean you can't steal to get a bunch of money and then actually work to build something great with it. Nor does it mean cheaters don't prosper on a surface level: many people profit monetarily from their lies.
Like a good crime movie, the key is to only selectively lie, have good intentions, or quit while you're ahead, like most of these people did. Some of their lies were pretty darn brilliant and ended up being OK in the end, if you're the "ends justify the means" type. Others told fibs that were kinda useless, but also downright hilarious.
It all started when Nicole Cliffe shared the story of how she moved in with her significant other.
A little while lie ended up having some pretty great results.
Then she told the most college lie of all time.
Works every time.
Taking advantage of the church.
At least they didn't go see Marilyn Manson.
69 Big Macs?!
In her defense, Jordache jeans are great.
Monica Lewinsky told this super believable lie.
ONJ over for dinner? I want in!
The weirdest way to steal a jacket, ever.
Why would you want to go around wearing someone else's monogrammed jacket anyway?
That'd be a weird flex to lie about.
The man came clean.
No please, keep it hush so all of his careers are protected.
Money DOES grow on trees.
The dimes/pennies trick is something every older sibling did, I think.
This is brilliant.
I hope he used the key to pull off the ultimate senior prank.
Those CPR dummies are creepy.
I can't blame him.
Are Denny's french fries even good?
Whatever, free is free, I guess.
LEGEND.
ABSOLUTE LEGEND.
This quick-thinking genius.
I wish I was this slick when I was younger.
Fortune favors the bold.
Especially when you're dealing with a drunk professor.
I have a feeling he knew.
The "accidental-text-on-purpose" never works unless the other person wants it to. Come on.
This is brilliant.
Traumatic, but brilliant.
FREEDOM '90!
Worth any subsequent punishments for sure.
Who doesn't know what a donut is?
This is the best kind of senseless joke.
Transition confusion.
Technically telling the truth...
I don't blame them.
Breaking Bad is certainly worth a couple more weeks of misery in a relationship that wasn't working.
Pro moves.
Probably have to cycle through restaurants. Works best if you're shameless.
First: I'm jealous of kids who had an allowance.
Second: piggy bank theft is a serious crime.
This is how people die of poison ivy, Mathew.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
I can't believe this worked.
Justin needs to go to Vegas or play the lottery immediately because he's the luckiest man alive.
Other homework tomfoolery.
Now this story I totally believe would work.
Wait, what?
The medical examiner from Brooklyn Nine-Nine is real?
I think Harriet is great overestimating men here.
I'd argue that most men would still sleep with women even if they found them utterly un-charming.
Sam shows a bully that perception matters.
It matters a lot.
Those are really good friends.
Imagine she showed up in Boston one day, though?
Bonus points for involving a stranger.
It's always better when you make yourself look like a good Samaritan in the process.
I think Tracy's training was just fine.
Unrelated: those Babysitters Club book covers were the best.
I applaud this. My only question is...
...why'd they settle in Nebraska, of all places?
"You won't like it, it's gross."
Classic. Just classic.
Lesley, I'm impressed.
I hope she had friends with her at the time though, 16 on your own at Spring Break must've been wild.
Dorms suck.
So I totally get it.