# Quotes about hypocrisy - Quotes: 34 - Authors: 14 - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy ## Quotes > Constantine was satisfied that secret impunity would be less pernicious than public scandal, and the Nicene council was edified by his public declaration, that, if he surprised a bishop in the act of adultery, he should cast his Imperial mantle over the episcopal sinner. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md) > The most worthless of mankind are not afraid to condemn in others the same disorders which they allow in themselves; and can readily discover some nice difference of age, character, or station, to justify the partial distinction. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Hypocrisy, of course, delights in the most sublime speculations; for, never intending to go beyond speculation, it costs nothing to have it magnificent. Reflections on the Revolution in France Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > We ought to see far enough into a hypocrite to see even his sincerity. [G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Heretics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/heretics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/heretics/we-ought-to-see.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [honesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honesty.md) > In the fifteenth century men cross-examined and tormented a man because he preached some immoral attitude; in the nineteenth century we feted and flattered Oscar Wilde because he preached such an attitude, and then broke his heart in penal servitude because he carried it out. It may be a question which of the two methods was the more cruel; there can be no kind of question which was the more ludicrous. The age of the Inquisition has not at least the disgrace of having produced a society which made an idol of the very same man for preaching the very same things which it made him a convict for practising. [G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Heretics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/heretics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/heretics/in-the-fifteenth.md) Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Your God was a jew. Christ was a jew like me. > > Gob, the citizen made a plunge back into the shop. > > — By Jesus, says he, I'll brain that bloody jewman for using the holy name. By Jesus, I'll crucify him so I will. [James Joyce](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce.md) · [Ulysses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce/ulysses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce/ulysses/your-god-was.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [hatred](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hatred.md) > He kills his mother but he can't wear grey trousers. [James Joyce](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce.md) · [Ulysses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce/ulysses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce/ulysses/he-kills-his.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > — I just wanted to say, he said. Ireland, they say, has the honour of being the only country which never persecuted the jews. Do you know that? No. And do you know why? > > He frowned sternly on the bright air. > > — Why, sir? Stephen asked, beginning to smile. > > — Because she never let them in, Mr Deasy said solemnly. > > A coughball of laughter leaped from his throat dragging after it a rattling chain of phlegm. He turned back quickly, coughing, laughing, his lifted arms waving to the air. > > — She never let them in, he cried again through his laughter as he stamped on gaitered feet over the gravel of the path. That’s why. > > On his wise shoulders through the checkerwork of leaves the sun flung spangles, dancing coins. [James Joyce](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce.md) · [Ulysses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce/ulysses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-joyce/ulysses/i-just-wanted.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Nor did I learn about sex from any reasoned source of instruction. I learned about it from the distorted and imperfect knowledge of other boys. This is the usual fate enforced upon youngsters by a society that is too prim and too hypocritical to have sex taught like any other branch of knowledge. > > Considering how important sex is, how great a source of joy, how enormous a source of misery and disease, how is permeates the workings of courtship and marriage, isn’t it strange that we go to great lengths to teach our children to play football and make no effort whatever to teach them to play sex? [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [I, Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov.md) · p. 93 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov/nor-did-i-learn.md) Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > I have a horror of funerals, not only because I dislike anything unpleasant but also because I detect a tang of hypocrisy to the whole thing. As soon as someone dies, he or she becomes transformed into a miracle of angelic behavior and personality which in life was never true, and everyone puts on an attitude of deep sorrow which, in truth, he or she might not feel. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [I, Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov.md) · p. 329 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov/i-have-a-horror.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > The trouble is that I am one of the common breed of human being who finds it very easy to strew noble little homilies far and wide but considerably less easy to follow those homilies himself. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [I, Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov.md) · p. 416 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov/the-trouble-is-that.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > You know that prudery is only the other side of prurience. The words are even on the same page in the dictionary. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [The Gods Themselves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/the-gods-themselves.md) · p. 244 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/the-gods-themselves/you-know-that.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > There's something about a pious man such as he. He will cheerfully cut your throat if it suits him, but he will hesitate to endanger the welfare of your immaterial and problematical soul. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [Foundation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/foundation.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/foundation/theres-something-about.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Like certain devotees, who fancy they will deceive the Almighty, and secure pardon by praying with their lips, and assuming the humble attitude of penitence, Thérèse displayed humility, striking her chest, finding words of repentance, without having anything at the bottom of her heart save fear and cowardice. Thérèse Raquin Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > The critics greeted this book with a churlish and horrified outcry. Certain virtuous people, in newspapers no less virtuous, made a grimace of disgust as they picked it up with the tongs to throw it into the fire. Even the minor literary reviews, the ones that retail nightly the tittle-tattle from alcoves and private rooms, held their noses and talked of filth and stench. I am not complaining about this reception; on the contrary I am delighted to observe that my colleagues have such maidenly susceptibilities. Thérèse Raquin Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md) > The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false-face for the urge to rule it. Power is what all messiahs really seek: not the chance to serve. This is true even of the pious brethren who carry the gospel to foreign parts. [H.L. Mencken](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken.md) · [Minority Report](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/minority-report.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/minority-report/the-urge-to-save.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > The chief difference between free capitalism and State socialism seems to be this: that under the former a man pursues his own advantage openly, frankly and honestly, whereas under the latter he does so hypocritically and under false pretenses. [H.L. Mencken](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken.md) · [Minority Report](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/minority-report.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/minority-report/the-chief-difference.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Sunday — A day given over by Americans to wishing that they themselves were dead and in Heaven, and that their neighbors were dead and in Hell. [H.L. Mencken](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken.md) · [A Mencken Chrestomathy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/a-mencken-chrestomathy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/a-mencken-chrestomathy/sunday-a-day.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Philadelphia is the most pecksniffian of American cities, and thus probably leads the world. [H.L. Mencken](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken.md) · [American Language](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/american-language.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/american-language/philadelphia-is-the.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > These were people who believed everything about the Soviet Union was perfect, but they were bringing their own toilet paper. Republican Party Reptile Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > One might think that a period which, in a space of fifty years, uproots, enslaves, or kills seventy million human beings should be condemned out of hand. But its culpability must still be understood... In more ingenuous times, when the tyrant razed cities for his own greater glory, when the slave chained to the conqueror's chariot was dragged through the rejoicing streets, when enemies were thrown to the wild beasts in front of the assembled people, the mind did not reel before such unabashed crimes, and the judgment remained unclouded. But slave camps under the flag of freedom, massacres justified by philanthropy or by a taste for the superhuman, in one sense cripple judgment. On the day when crime dons the apparel of innocence — through a curious transposition peculiar to our times — it is innocence that is called upon to justify itself. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [The Rebel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-rebel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-rebel/one-might-think.md) Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [crime](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/crime.md) > You love the Hawaiians as potential Christians, but you despise them as people. I am proud to say that I have come to exactly the opposite conclusion, and it is therefore appropriate that I should be expelled from a mission where love is not. [James A. Michener](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener.md) · [Hawaii](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener/hawaii.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener/hawaii/you-love-the.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > In later years, it would become fashionable to say of the missionaries, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well." Others made jest of the missionary slogan, "They came to a nation in darkness; they left it in light," by pointing out: "Of course they left Hawaii lighter. They stole every goddamned thing that wasn't nailed down." [James A. Michener](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener.md) · [Hawaii](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener/hawaii.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener/hawaii/in-later-years.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > The soldier is applauded who refuses to serve in an unjust war by those who do not refuse to sustain the unjust government which makes the war; is applauded by those whose own act and authority he disregards and sets at naught; as if the state were penitent to that degree that it hired one to scourge it while it sinned, but not to that degree that it left off sinning for a moment. Civil Disobedience Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > So there's no question about it: by the mid-fifties, America was definitely in a Golden Era, an era of excitement and opportunity for all citizens, regardless of race or creed or color, unless the person happened to be black. Then there was a problem. [Dave Barry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dave-barry.md) · [Dave Barry Slept Here](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dave-barry/dave-barry-slept-here.md) · p. 137 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dave-barry/dave-barry-slept-here/so-theres-no-question.md) Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > The faults of the burglar are the qualities of the financier: the manners and habits of a duke would cost a city clerk his situation. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Major Barbara](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/major-barbara.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/major-barbara/the-faults-of-the.md) Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > The way to deal with worldly people is to frighten them by repeating their scandalous whisperings aloud. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Love Among The Artists](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/love-among-the-artists.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/love-among-the-artists/the-way-to-deal.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Caesar and Cleopatra](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/caesar-and-cleopatra.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/caesar-and-cleopatra/when-a-stupid.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md) > Four legs good, two legs better! [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Animal Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm/four-legs-good-two.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > But a few days later Muriel, reading over the Seven Commandments to herself, noticed that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong. They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol," but there were two words that they had forgotten. Actually the Commandment read: "No animal shall drink alcohol TO EXCESS." [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Animal Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm/but-a-few.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md) > ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Animal Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm/all-animals-are.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md) > Meanwhile life was hard. The winter was as cold as the last one had been, and food was even shorter. Once again all rations were reduced, except those of the pigs and the dogs. A too rigid equality in rations, Squealer explained, would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism. In any case he had no difficulty in proving to the other animals that they were NOT in reality short of food, whatever the appearances might be. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Animal Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm/meanwhile-life-was.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md) > Squealer, who happened to be passing at this moment, attended by two or three dogs, was able to put the whole matter in its proper perspective. > > "You have heard then, comrades," he said, "that we pigs now sleep in the beds of the farmhouse? And why not? You did not suppose, surely, that there was ever a ruling against beds? A bed merely means a place to sleep in. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed, properly regarded. The rule was against sheets, which are a human invention. We have removed the sheets from the farmhouse beds, and sleep between blankets. And very comfortable beds they are too! But not more comfortable than we need, I can tell you, comrades, with all the brainwork we have to do nowadays. You would not rob us of our repose, would you, comrades? You would not have us too tired to carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?" > > The animals reassured him on this point immediately, and no more was said about the pigs sleeping in the farmhouse beds. And when, some days afterwards, it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals, no complaint was made about that either. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Animal Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm/squealer-who-happened.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md) > An example of this is the failure of the numerous and vocal English pacifists to raise their voices against the prevalent worship of Russian militarism. According to those pacifists, all violence is evil, and they have urged us at every stage of the war to give in or at least to make a compromise peace. But how many of them have ever suggested that war is also evil when it is waged by the Red Army? Apparently the Russians have a right to defend themselves, whereas for us to do [so] is a deadly sin. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Animal Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/animal-farm/an-example-of-this.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md)