Premanand Maharaj Ji
Is it always wrong to lie, or does the intention behind it matter?
Lying to give happiness versus to take it
If out of a longing to give someone happiness you speak an untruth by mistake, it is forgivable. But a lie told out of a longing to take happiness for yourself is forbidden. A lie becomes harmful when you tell it for yourself, as a deception.
If it is spoken to give happiness to others, it will not be wrong; and if it is spoken to take happiness from others, it becomes wrong.