[bluedragon]

Remember how they employed principles in each and every major decision in the Star Trek TNG series? Principles such as truth, or their prime directive which prohibited them from interfering with other civilizations' business uninvited (even if there was a civil war going on, or someone innocent was going to be executed.

One interesting example was Data, who as an android, was unable to override his ethical programming and lie, under any circumstances. I don't recall any instances when this absolute adherence to this principle ever interfered with his duties as an officer. In one instance, however, this was what allowed him to save his entire crew from destruction. He was the only person on board who could be trusted with absolute certainty even by an enemy race to keep a secret from his own crew and defend it with his life, if Captain Picard ordered him never to reveal it. As I said, I'm not sure, but I have the impression that by deciding "not to lie", you create the power to succeed using only honesty.