On the Decay of the Art of Lying by Mark Twain
QR code
"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.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Upload it on the Amazon site your Kindle is registered with: amazon.com/sendtokindle for the US, amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle for the UK etc.
- It appears on your Kindle and in the Kindle app
Kobo, Nook etc. → Transfer via USB
- Download the EPUB3 file on your computer
- Connect your e-reader by USB and tap "Connect" on its screen
- Drag the file onto the e-reader drive
Phone, Tablet or Computer → Online or Reading App
Easiest: read online in your browser. Nothing to install.
Or use a reading app:
- Find and install one you like, for example Apple Books, ReadEra or Thorium Reader
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Open it in the app
More help: iPhone / iPad · Android · Computer
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 |
|---|---|
| Title | On the Decay of the Art of Lying |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Decay_of_the_Art_of_Lying |
| 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.) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 65.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | American essays -- 19th century |
| Subject | Truthfulness and falsehood |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 2572 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-02572-8 |
| Release Date | Sep 15, 2004 |
| Last Update | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1030 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!