"Don't believe your friends when they ask you to be honest with them. All they really want is to be maintained in the good opinion they have of themselves"

Albert Camus is alerting us to be wary of our pals when they ask us to be sincere with them. He suggests that they may not in fact desire us to be sincere, however rather they want us to preserve the good viewpoint they have of themselves. This means that they might not be open to hearing criticism or negative feedback, and rather they want us to concur with them and confirm their beliefs. This can be a tight spot to browse, as we want to be honest with our good friends but likewise don't want to hurt their feelings. It is important to be mindful of our pals' sensations and be truthful in a manner that is respectful and understanding. We must likewise be aware that our friends might not be open to hearing criticism, and rather focus on the positive aspects of the circumstance.