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  • Lying

  • By: Sam Harris
  • Narrated by: Sam Harris
  • Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (447 ratings)

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Lying

By: Sam Harris
Narrated by: Sam Harris
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, November 2013 - Like most, I don't believe in lying, but I've never been opposed to the occasional white lie when I felt it was warranted. So I was pretty intrigued when I heard about this essay from Sam Harris, in which he argues that all forms of lying are inherently detrimental to our lives and relationships with others. From false encouragement to omission, Harris dismisses the notion that any kind of lie is truly harmless - often using insightful, true stories as examples. It's a short listen that is definitely worth checking out for anyone interested in psychology, human behavior, or self-improvement. I predict I'll be choosing my words wisely when I open a gift I don't love this holiday season! —Sam, Audible Editor

Publisher's Summary

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

Critic Reviews

"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)

What listeners say about Lying

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    5 out of 5 stars

packs a huge punch in a short book

dont listen to many short books that can have a huge impact on my understanding of a subject.
would highly recommend to anyone who lies.. and those who dont

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not bad

Not a bad book. I only gave it 3 stars because the author states "the fact" that Doctor Andrew Wakefield has been discredited and exposed as a fraud for his study linking vaccines and autism. Which he hasn't at all if you really look into it. So a bit strange from that point of view and I can't really say that I agreed with some of the points he made eg the murderer looking for a child who is hiding in your home, and what to do in that situation.
But a few good points that may change the direction of some people's lives.
I know from personal and really painful experience that lying can and does really hurt people that you love, and yourself in the end. So well worth listening to. Okay I'll up it to a 4 star on that basis.

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fatphobic

love when a white male declares health by the appearance of a person.

he declares right off the back fat people can't be happy, or attractive.

it's gross to read.

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Worthless

By far and away, the worst audible book to which I have listened. I rarely leave full reviews, but this deserves a special mention. I found it comical that his answer to most questions at the end began with: “well, that is a difficult one”, and then he went on a convoluted way of trying to rationalise a white lie/semi-truth. His unnecessary anti-religion sentiment continues as per usual. His dull voice did not suit narrating the audiobook (and this is coming from a listener who generally prefers the authors be the narrators!). All in all, a very disappointing endeavour, and a waste of an Audible credit.

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Stupendous

Sam Harris is phenomenal
I love this book, probably my favourite of his books. Great

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worth the read

a great little book about lying and how it effects the people around you and society and the way it effects you.

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Concise and obvious yet rarely followed

As usual, this writing from Sam Harris is written in a way that is so inherently logical is just seems obvious, yet everyone still lies. Helped me to do a reset of my brain, which in turn rid me of much needless anxiety. Highly recommended

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Being Honest about Lying

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s main benefit was that it provided context and structure to concepts that need to be spoken about and fleshed out.

I would not say that this book provides as much insight as other books written by Sam Harris, but is something to consider moving forward in life and worth the short time it takes to listen to.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Made me think

Sam always makes one to question one's believes and ingrained patterns.
I certainly took away some hints on how to phrase things differently.

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Fascinating, but short

Sam Harris exceptionally articulates why lying is such a disgraceful act. Excellent personal reminder to maintain honest communication with everyone in your life. Only negative is that it is very short.

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