While a thief can have an honor code, let's face the facts: a thief wouldn't succeed without the uncanny ability to lie to your face. Kat seems to get by on just a few white lies throughout the book, like, "oh, dad, I'm still in school." And she's clearly happy to let Hale do the hardcore cons in Heist Society. We mean, come on, that guy hasn't even told Kat his real name. Deceit runs through his veins. But lies are all part of the job, don't you think? You can be a career liar and still be moral, right? Hm…
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- Do a con artist's lies and deceit really count, if we think of that con artist as "just doing her job"?
- Where does one's job end and one's real life begin? How do you decide?
- Who does Kat deceive during the course of the novel—Taccone? Her own family? Herself?
- We're told that, "You cannot con an honest man. But if you do... You'll regret it" (20.35 – 20.36). What do you think this quote means? How would the consequences of conning an honest man be different than conning a dishonest man?