From a moral and ethical perspective, deceiving friends is generally frowned upon. Honesty and trust are the foundation of friendship, and deceit can lead to the breakdown of a relationship and hurt the other person's feelings. While in some cases someone may choose to conceal the truth in order to protect a friend's feelings, this does not equate to outright deceit. When considering whether to engage in deceitful behavior, it is recommended to think about the following: 1. **Consequences**: Deceit may cause pain to your friend and even affect the trust and relationship between you. 2. **Long-term benefits**: While you may gain some benefits from deceiving in the short term, honest and transparent relationships usually bring greater satisfaction in the long run. 3. **Moral responsibility**: Everyone has a responsibility to treat others, including friends, in an honest manner. Overall, maintaining good friendships and relationships should be a priority, and honest and transparent communication is key to achieving this goal.