In my experience, people who cannot deal
honestly with others are often, to begin with,
not honest with themselves.
Nor indeed can it be said that they know themselves
well, or that they are aware of their own best
interests (especially long-term best interests).
It is not merely selfish to be conscious of
the reality of one's own desires; in fact, it may
be a prerequisite to being able to deal responsibly
with others.
Too often, people make commitments (in their ignorance)
that (objectively) they have little hope of fulfilling
(whether they know it or not).
When these commitments reach their inevitable ends, I
have a hard time believing that it is not, in the end,
better for all concerned...