On the Decay of the Art of Lying

In 1880, the American author and humorist Mark Twain delivered his essay titled “On the Decay of the Art of Lying” at a Historical and Antiquarian Club meeting in Hartford, Connecticut. Twain’s humorous and satirical tone shines through as he delves into the universal pastime of lying and proposes that judicious lying should be encouraged and cultivated, provided one adheres to certain principles. He emphasizes the importance of lying with a good object, not an evil one, for others’ advantage, not our own, charitably, and humanely, rather than cruelly, hurtfully, or maliciously.