Lying cover art

Lying

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Lying

By: Sam Harris
Narrated by: Sam Harris
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $9.99

Buy Now for $9.99

About this listen

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 Ethics & Morality Philosophy

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

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
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

Concise and obvious yet rarely followed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Well, maybe not quite incapable. But it was a great book anyway! Sam is always coherent, and a lot of fun.i love his lack of interest in social norms.

I am no longer capable of lying

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would definitely recommend this book to anyone! Brings some incredibly important concepts to light that I believe any intelligent person should take on to aid in governing their day-to-day operation. The longer you wait before listening to what Sam Harris has to say (with a very soothing and easy to listen voice), the further away you get from a truly more fulfilling existence.

Short listen with a long effect

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Clear, concise, forthright and insightful. The topic is investigated honestly, and without dogma, but also Harris nonetheless doesn't pull his punches. I love this man's work!

Great, as all of Harris's work is.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Sam Harris is phenomenal
I love this book, probably my favourite of his books. Great

Stupendous

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I thought it was a bit short going in but it turned out to be just the right length for me. It's hard to argue with his points and there's genuinely some great information that could benefit us all. Not least some of Harris's critics.

Brilliant, I'd be lying if I said it hasn't changed my perspective about lying

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
very short but very enjoyable.
it's basically about how lying isn't logical.
would like to get the print version some time.

right on

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
For all those Sam Harris lovers - this reading of his essay Lying is great. It also has a extended Q and A at the end where Sam clarifies some of his points. It is also read by Sam Harris which adds to its clarity and precision. If you want clarity on the Sam Harris philosophy on lying I highly recommend you listen to this audio book.

Short, sweet and straight to the point

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Really enjoyed this book, a vital acknowledgement for all people of all eras. May more of us flow with truth.

Intelligent and solid

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed this one overall but can understand people may be apprehensive of the price to length.

Interesting, Well Read if Short

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.