On the Decay of the Art of Lying by Mark Twain. Short summary

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The author says there is a double-mindedness in the minds of Americans. Lying is considered a vice, but it is spoken everywhere, calling it courtesy, etiquette, charity, and saving silence.

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There is a saying in America, «Children and fools always tell the truth.» The conclusion to be drawn from this is that adults and reasonable people do not tell the truth, that is, they lie. The author examines several cases in which lying becomes natural, acceptable, and even required by decent society.

It is customary to say, «How do you feel?» when we meet, but this question might concern only an undertaker — out of selfish motives. The answer, too, requires a lie: «Fine, thank you. If the person asks about his or her problems, he or she will be considered a rude ignoramus.

However, many people don’t know how to tell a lie the way lawyers do. And that is unfortunate. For an inept lie is as useless as an inept truth.

For example, it is customary among ladies to visit one another. And with what cheerfulness they report: «Today I paid 16 visits, and imagine — in 14 cases there was no one at home!» And this phrase should be uttered in a different tone of voice.