Does the Bible condemn white lies? Orthodox views on it state that any sort of lie is a sin by itself. More liberal Christians will say that it doesn't really mean that much provided it doesn't hurt anybody. But more importantly than personal opinions; what does the Bible have to say about white lies?
In the sermon of the mount, Jesus teaches about the sixth through tenth commandments, deepening their meaning.  For example, "Don't kill" he expands to "Don't have unresolved anger or conflict".  "Don't commit adultery" becomes "Don't lust".

For "Don't bear false witness", Jesus says (not quoting one of the ten commandments directly, but a related passage about making vows):


  Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord."  But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.  But let your statement be, "Yes, yes" or "No, no"; anything beyond these is of evil.
  
  Matthew 5:33-37 (NASB)


The idea is that you should always follow through with what you say.  In other words, be trustworthy.  The same applies to the commandment: people should be able to trust you, whether that is in a courtroom, or in daily life.

White lies are not compatible with being trustworthy, because it tells others that you will lie for the sake of convenience.

Whether white lies are ok in the context of helping another, I don't know.  That leads to: "can the ends justify the means?"