Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life

A sad but true fact: it’s hard to find even a single capable person on Earth who hasn’t lied to others—or to themselves—at least once or twice. For many, lies become a cure-all; for someone, they’re a favorite pastime; and politicians and businessmen, for example, use them as one of the tools of their profession. Sam Harris dissects the famous “inexcusable” sin, exposing its negative sides, and, using numerous examples, proves to us that lying—even the smallest lie—is a weapon of terrifying destructive power. Under his blows, neither authority nor years of friendship nor strong relationships can hold. You won’t even notice how, once you get carried away with deception, you can’t do without it—and you lose what’s most precious: the trust of your loved ones. The author teaches us not to fall for lies and convinces us that speaking the truth openly is far more beneficial—even in the most difficult situations.