On the Decay of the Art of Lying

In On the Decay of the Art of Lying (1880), Mark Twain offers a witty, satirical defense of lying as a necessary and even noble human art. He begins by observing that lying is a universal trait, present in everyone, but laments that it is no longer done skillfully or for virtuous reasons. Twain argues that lying, when done with good intentions—such as to protect others’ feelings or preserve harmonies, is far preferable to harsh truth-telling that causes harm. He criticizes hypocritical moralists who lie while pretending to be virtuous and instead advocates for honest acknowledgment of the role lies play in everyday life.

Twain calls for a revival of lying as a thoughtful, considerate act rather than a selfish or malicious one. He suggests that lying should be taught and refined, much like any other art form, so that it can serve beneficial ends. Satirizing society's pretensions and moral contradictions, Twain uses humor and irony to challenge conventional views on honesty. Ultimately, his essay is not a blanket endorsement of deceit, but a call to recognize the complexity of truth and to use lies, when necessary, with kindness and responsibility. Through this piece, Twain cleverly blurs the line between truth and fiction.

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Audiobook: 22 November 2025