Advantage Quote by Mark Twain
“The wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage, and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Wise Thing" by Mark Twain, 1885
The passage argues that lying can be ethically guided if done with good intent, compassion, and dignity, avoiding harm and selfishness.
In simple terms: Lying can be moral if purposeful and kind.
Key Takeaway
Use deception only to protect or help, never to harm.
Themes
ethics
communication
integrity
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political negotiation
- medical truth-telling
- protective white lies
- conflict resolution
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
moral relativism
intentional deception
compassionate lying
Questions to Reflect On
- When is a lie justified?
- How does intent affect moral judgment?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑intended lies can erode trust and cause unintended harm.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
