The Decay of Lying

Oscar Wilde

Bored by the tedious and improving conversation of those who have neither the wit to exaggerate nor the genius to romance, tired of the intelligent person whose reminiscences are always based upon memory, whose statements are invariably limited by probability, and who is at any time liable to be corroborated by the merest Philistine who happens to be present, Society sooner or later must return to its lost leader, the cultured and fascinating liar.

Schopenhauer has analysed the pessimism that characterizes modern thought, but Hamlet invented it.

One does not see anything until one sees its beauty.

The fact is that we look back on the ages entirely through the medium of art, and art, very fortunately, has never once told us the truth.

Wilde's small dialog on the title's subject is what you would expect--a very witty and intellectually stimulating conversation on the nature of art. Actually, it should probably be Art. But if you take some time with it, I think there is more going on than the above quotes imply. First of all, Wilde was cagey enough to not put the most damning words in his own mouth. He invents a dialog in which he could just as easily be the unwitting man who does not understand this idea of lying as the liar himself. This is the first warning sign: when an author is unwilling to let you know where he stands, be careful lest you believe what he says.
But these warnings are to be intensified when we are dealing with such a subject as lying. It is the same case with Milton's Satan in Paradise Lost, he is the deceiver, so when we hear him talk we have to wonder if he has stopped deceiving yet. So with the brilliant argument composed by Vivian in Wilde's dialog. We have to wonder: if a man is in such admiration of lying and liars would he have any qualms about lying for persuasive purposes?
These questions in our minds, the Decay of Lying is an adventure. I have only read it once, I don't think I got half as much out of it as I will when I read it again. It purports to give us a logical argument for deceit and yet there were times when even Wilde did not sound as if he believed the words he was giving to his characters. It was difficult at times as well since Wilde referred heavily to his contemporaries--some of whom have been buried by the drifting sands of time.
If you feel like a close encounter with very heavy but deft sarcasm and a good deal of cynicism, I would refer you to this little piece. If not, you might read it anyway, but it won't make you very happy--unless it converts you.