It's wrong to lie about the identity of someone's parents.
Richard comes from a poor family of artists but is now making a lot of money and has wealthy friends.
Richard wants his friends to respect his family.
Richard introduces his parents to his friends and tells his friends about his parent's long artistic careers.
Richard tells his wealthy friends that his parents are very rich.
Everybody is impressed by Richard's parents' career and Richard feels proud of them.
Richard feels weak and shameful not to be proud of his parents.