"Lying is universal--we _all_ do it. Therefore, 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.
Then shall we be rid of the rank and pestilent truth that is rotting the
land; then shall we be great and good and beautiful, and worthy dwellers in
a world where even benign Nature habitually lies, except when she promises
execrable weather. Then--But am I but a new and feeble student in this
gracious art; I cannot instruct _this_ club."

from: "On The Decay of Lying"
a lecture by Mark Twain