I agree with a lot of this. I don't think all lying is bad. I think (as was brought up in the thread about it a lot) it comes down to intent and context. If you're lying to bring someone harm - intentionally - then that's (probably) a bad sort of lie. But lying for protection of self (not necessarily of others, that's a whole other issue) isn't bad at all. When it comes to poems and the like, I don't see that as lying at all, even if presented as truth. More artistic license than anything.
Or even if you're lying to save someone from harm - when they should know whatever you're lying about. I think a lot of cheaters and similar will say "I was lying to protect you!" But really, they were lying to protect themselves from the consequences of their actions. Yes, the truth hurts...but a cheater doesn't lie to protect the person he cheats on, he lies to protect himself.