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Lying

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Lying

Written by: Sam Harris
Narrated by: Sam Harris
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As it was in Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary, and Othello, so it is in life. Most forms of private vice and public evil are kindled and sustained by lies. Acts of adultery and other personal betrayals, financial fraud, government corruption - even murder and genocide - generally require an additional moral defect: a willingness to lie.

In Lying, bestselling author and neuroscientist Sam Harris argues that we can radically simplify our lives and improve society by merely telling the truth in situations where others often lie. He focuses on "white" lies - those lies we tell for the purpose of sparing people discomfort - for these are the lies that most often tempt us. And they tend to be the only lies that good people tell while imagining that they are being good in the process.

©2013 Sam Harris (P)2013 Sam Harris Philosophy Thought-Provoking Business
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What the critics say

"This essay is quite brilliant. (I was hoping it would be, so I wouldn't have to lie.) I honestly loved it from beginning to end. Lying is the most thought-provoking read of the year." (Ricky Gervais)
"Humans have evolved to lie well, and no doubt you've seen the social lubrication at work. In many cases, we might not think of it as a true lie: perhaps a 'white' lie once in a blue moon, the omission of a sensitive detail here and there, false encouragement of others when we see no benefit in dashing someone's hopes, and the list goes on. In Lying, Sam Harris demonstrates how to benefit from being brutally - but pragmatically - honest. It's a compelling little book with a big impact." (Tim Ferriss author of the number-one New York Times best sellers The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Workweek.)
"In this brief but illuminating work, Sam Harris applies his characteristically calm and sensible logic to a subject that affects us all: the human capacity to lie. And by the book's end, Harris has compelled you to lead a better life because the benefits of telling the truth far outweigh the cost of lies - to yourself, to others, and to society." (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History)
All stars
Most Relevant
I really like Sam as a person and an author. He has excellent points, has really interesting things to say... but this book is way too thin. It leaves you on your appetite.

Great book, but WAY too short.

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I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to this audio book. Without a lie (😉) it has been at least 6-8 times PLUS I own a hard copy of the book. Why? Funny you should ask. This book and it’s ideas has changed my life and, through me, the lives of others. Moreover, I began practicing 100% truth with compassion. The results have been profound.

I use to deliver MY truth as (a) all or nothing - an unfiltered, gut-punching truth with a side serving of “hey, you asked,” (b) mostly silence (truth withheld - #youcanthandlethetruth), or (c) white lie. Practicing compassionate truth has been a life changer. For example: 1) Relationships are far more authentic and run deeper, (2) by demonstrating compassionate truth, it has freed others around me to do the same, and (3) I am a better, kinder, more forgiving, and far more loving person. It sounds strange, but I actually like myself more.

Worth listening to over and over…

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Sam argues, in a very coherent manner, that lying when it's expected that honest communication between parties takes place results in distrust in the long run. Relationships can be weakened even over the most trivial lies because often those little white lies come to surface showing your ability to lie to the other party.

After this book, I had to reflect on points in my life where I discovered someone had lied to me or even spread false information that they deemed true. Those relationships definitely aren't as strong as they were before hand, and I believe Sam properly frames why this is.

The best long run strategy isn't lying.

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This book makes an exceptional case for deontological ethics and argues against consequentialist and moral relativistic approach to common issues, specifically with lies of "comission" (as opposed to omission). Lying is well written and tackles many scenarios that we've all undoubtedly had to face at some point. There is good balance between truth telling and how to tell the truth, with the former being constant and the latter being an acquired skill.

A strong argument for deontological ethics

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This was a very good listen, and even though I already try to tell the truth, I'm going to try even harder now.

Very thought provoking

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