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.

The aim of the liar is simply to charm, to delight, to give pleasure. He is the very basis of civilized society.

The liar at any rate recognizes that recreation, not instruction, is the aim of conversation, and is a far more civilized being than the blockhead who loudly expresses his disbelief in a story which is told simply for the amusement of the company.

As one knows the poet by his fine music, so one can recognize the liar by his rich rhythmic utterance, and in neither case will the casual inspiration of the moment suffice. Here, as elsewhere, practice must precede perfection.