What role does honesty play in building a strong community?

Honesty has no role in building a 'strong' community, merely a moral and accountable community. Lies are often more emotionally convincing than heartless truths, and, although one doubtless cannot have a strong community without rules, if the rules do not involve honesty, civic virtue can simply be whatever a leader, or select committee needs it to be to keep the community strong. However, I would much rather live in an honest community.