On the Decay of the Art of Lying

"On the Decay of the Art of Lying" by Mark Twain is an essay that humorously looks at how lying is a common part of society, but the craft of doing it well has declined. Twain thinks lying isn't just something people do, but a skill that needs to be learned and practiced. He talks about how truth and lies clash, suggesting that "smart lying" is important. According to him, everyone lies, but doing it in a way that's kind and thoughtful can help people get along better. Through stories and careful observations, Twain shows how little lies we tell to be polite can make our relationships better instead of worse. He's sad that people don't lie gracefully anymore, and he believes that keeping up polite lies can stop awkward situations.