| Author |
Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 |
| Title |
On the Decay of the Art of Lying
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 65.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Decay_of_the_Art_of_Lying
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| Note |
Essay, for discussion, read at a meeting of the Historical and Antiquarian Club of Hartford, and offered for the thirty-dollar prize. (Did not take the prize.)
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| Summary |
"On the Decay of the Art of Lying" by Mark Twain is an essay written in the late 19th century. The book critiques the state of lying in society, arguing that while the act of lying remains as prevalent as ever, the skill and art associated with it have deteriorated. Twain humorously proposes that lying is not only a necessity but a refined practice that requires understanding and cultivation. In this thought-provoking essay, Mark Twain discusses the contradictions of truth and lying, advocating for what he calls "judicious lying." He argues that while everyone lies, the art of doing so thoughtfully and benevolently is essential in social interactions. Using anecdotes and keen observations, he illustrates how common forms of polite deception serve to enhance human relationships rather than harm them. Twain laments the absence of graceful lying and suggests that maintaining polite falsehoods can prevent unnecessary discomfort, encouraging a balanced consideration of when and how to lie with good intent. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
American essays -- 19th century
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| Subject |
Truthfulness and falsehood
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2572 |
| Release Date |
Sep 15, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
212 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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