Final answer:
The provided passages center around themes of lying, honesty, and deceit, painting a portrait of characters' moral outlooks and impacting plot developments. These constructs are integral to exploring characters' ethical standing and societal norms within the narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passages mention lying, honesty, deceit, tricks, and untruths as themes in various contexts, from interpersonal interactions to fatherly influences. Characters exhibit a range of attitudes towards honesty and deceit, and these behaviors serve to develop plot and character dynamics. The quotes convey the idea that being honest is less profitable than deceit, that portraying untruths can have varying consequences, and that some individuals do not uphold truth as a virtue at all.
In literature, such themes often explore the moral fabric of characters, reflect societal values, and contribute to the storyline's progression. The mentioning of lawyers, storytellers, and other individuals reveals both personal and professional dimensions of lying and its effects. Additionally, the notion of deceit affecting one's moral character signifies the importance placed on integrity within narrative contexts.