user23800: I have come across someone stating that you can break any of the five precepts with exception of lying if the need may arise. Is this true? In Theravada Buddhism.

user471: I guess it's based on the following sutta.
One who tells lies may eventually get into all other evil deeds.

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have
heard: "For the person who transgresses in one thing, I tell you,
there is no evil deed that is not to be done. Which one thing? This:
telling a deliberate lie."
The person who lies,
who transgress in this one thing,
transcending concern for the world beyond:
there's no evil
he might not do.
Iti 25

And also:

The person who tells a lie,
who transgresses in this one thing,
transcending concern for the world beyond:
there's no evil
he might not do.
Dhp 176


user43: Can you break precepts if the need arises?
Of course you can, but there are consequences. The precepts are there to improve your situation, to help you move away from suffering and towards liberation. Breaking a precept always creates some kind of direct or latent cause of suffering. It always adds yet another knot to the tangle of our karmic situation.
Children often choose short term "need" over a more strategic but less tangible goal. They eat candy instead of vegetables and watch cartoons instead of doing their homework.
If you are an adult, tell me what's more important: getting "the need" or untangling your karma and reaching harmony in your life?

23800: <p>I have come across someone stating that you can break any of the five precepts with exception of lying if the need may arise. Is this true? In Theravada Buddhism.</p>
 471: <p>I guess it's based on the following sutta.</p>
<p>One who tells lies may eventually get into all other evil deeds.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have
heard: &quot;For the person who transgresses in one thing, I tell you,
there is no evil deed that is not to be done. Which one thing? This:
telling a deliberate lie.&quot;</p>
<p>The person who lies,<br />
who transgress in this one thing,<br />
transcending concern for the world beyond:<br />
there's no evil<br />
he might not do.<br />
<a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.1.001-027.than.html#iti-025" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Iti 25</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>And also:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The person who tells a lie,<br />
who transgresses in this one thing,<br />
transcending concern for the world beyond:<br />
there's no evil<br />
he might not do.<br />
<a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.13.than.html#dhp-176" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dhp 176</a></p>
</blockquote>
 43: <p>Can you break precepts if the need arises?</p>
<p>Of course you can, but there are consequences. The precepts are there to improve your situation, to help you move away from suffering and towards liberation. Breaking a precept always creates some kind of direct or latent cause of suffering. It always adds yet another knot to the tangle of our karmic situation.</p>
<p>Children often choose short term &quot;need&quot; over a more strategic but less tangible goal. They eat candy instead of vegetables and watch cartoons instead of doing their homework.</p>
<p>If you are an adult, tell me what's more important: getting &quot;the need&quot; or untangling your karma and reaching harmony in your life?</p>
