A proverb meaning that, in certain circumstances, a lie can be expedient — small falsehoods may be justified to achieve a greater good or avoid harm.
子どもの将来を案じて、親が嘘も方便と考えることは少なくない。
It's not uncommon for parents to think that a lie is permissible for the sake of their child's future.
医師が患者に配慮して事実を全部伝えない場合、それを嘘も方便と言うこともある。
When a doctor withholds some facts out of consideration for a patient, it is sometimes called 'a lie as expediency'.
ただし、嘘も方便だからといって常に正当化できるわけではない。
However, one cannot always justify everything by saying 'the end justifies the means.'