I think it has more to do with motives than what we say.
Is it for our own gain, or is it to protect someone and / or avoid hurting their feelings?
(and do we always know for sure / admit what is what?)
It's like the classic "What if you were hiding jews in your house during the holocaust and a nazi knocked on your door and asked if you were hiding someone?" Obviously, you would do a greater evil by handing over the person than by lying.