Lies are many, and various in their nature and in their tendency, and may be arranged under their different names, thus: Lies of Vanity. Lies of Convenience. Lies of Interest. Lies of Fear. Lies of first-rate Malignity. Lies of second-rate Malignity. lence. Lies of real Benevolence. Lies of mere Wantonness, proceeding from a depraved love of lying, or contempt for truth. There are others probably; but I believe that this list contains all those which are of the most importance; unless, indeed, we may add to it— Practical Lies; that is, Lies acted, not spoken. I shall give an anecdote, or tale, in order to illustrate each sort of lie in its turn, or nearly so, lies for the sake of lying excepted; for I should find it very difficult so to illustrate this the most despicable species of falsehood. CHAP. II. ON THE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE LIES OF VANITY. I SHALL begin my observations by defining what I mean by the Lie of Vanity, both in its active and passive nature; these lies being undoubtedly the most common, because vanity is one of the most powerful springs of human action, and is usually the besetting sin of every one. Suppose, that in order to give myself consequence, I were to assert that I was actually acquainted with certain great. and distinguished personages whom I had merely met in fashionable society. Suppose also, I were to say that I was at such a place, and such an assembly on such a night, without adding, that I was there, not as an invited guest, but only because a benefit concert was held at these places for which I had tickets.-These would both be lies of vanity; but the one would be an active, the other a passive, lie. In the first I should assert a direct falsehood, in the other I should withhold part of the truth; but both would be lies, because, in both, my intention was to deceive.* But though we are frequently tempted to be guilty of the active lies of vanity, our temptations to its passive lies are more frequent still; nor * This passive lie is a very frequent one in certain circles in London; as many ladies and gentlemen there purchase tickets for benefit concerts held at great houses, in order that they may be able to say, "I was at Lady such a one's on such a night." can the sincere lovers of truth be too much on their guard against this constantly recurring danger. The following instances will explain what I mean by this observation." If I assert that my motive for a particular action was virtuous, when I know that it was worldly and selfish, I am guilty of an active, or direct lie. But I am equally guilty of falsehood, if, while I hear my actions or forbearances praised, and imputed to decidedly worthy motives, when I know them to have sprung from unworthy, or unimportant ones, I listen with silent complacency, and do not positively disclaim my right to commendation; only, in the one case I lie directly, in the other indirectly: the lie is active in the one, and passive in the other. And are we not all of us conscious of having sometimes accepted |