On the Decay of the Art of Lying
1882
On the Decay of the Art of Lying is a short essay by Mark Twain, first published in 1882. In this work, Twain critiques the decline of the art of lying in society, arguing that while lying is common, its execution has become clumsy and thoughtless. He advocates for 'judicious lying'—a thoughtful and benevolent approach to deception that can enhance social interactions. Through humor and keen observations, Twain illustrates how polite falsehoods can serve a beneficial purpose in human relationships.
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“The wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage, and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.””
— Mark Twain
“Children and fools always speak the truth.””
— Mark Twain
“One ought always to lie, when one can do good by it;””
— Mark Twain
“Lying is universal - we all do it. Therefore, the wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage,and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.””
— Mark Twain
“The highest perfection of politeness is only a beautiful edifice, built, from the base to the dome, of graceful and gilded forms of charitable and unselfish lying.””
— Mark Twain
“An awkward, unscientific lie is often as ineffectual as the truth.””
— Mark Twain
“Lying is universal”
— Mark Twain
“The man who speaks an injurious truth lest his soul be not saved if he do otherwise, should reflect that that sort of a soul is not strictly worth saving. The””
— Mark Twain
“wish you were with the cannibals and it was dinner-time.””
— Mark Twain
