Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw?
By cui_hezron
@cui_hezron (75)
United States
December 28, 2012 7:07pm CST
The more idealistic we are with our principles, the more vulnerable we are to hypocrisy.Should we be less idealistic to avoid being hypocrites, or should we hold onto our ideals, even if we can't always live up to them. Not living up to our beliefs, opinions,virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards is not a hypocrisy.Hypocrisy is pretending (and lying to others) to have them when we don't. Nothing is more unjust, however common,than to charge with hypocrisy him that expresses zeal for those virtues which he neglects to practice; since he may be sincerely convinced of the advantages of conquering his passions, without having yet obtained the victory, as a man may be confident of the advantages of a voyage, or a journey, without having courage or industry to undertake it, and may honestly recommend to thers, those attempts which he negelcts himself.
What say?
5 responses
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
29 Dec 12
I believe you are correct in saying that true hypocrisy is not when we are unable to meet our own expectations. However, that group of people who say one thing and do another could be more well defined. There are undoubtedly some that are striving to attain goals they have set and just have not yet reached them. There are, though, others of this group that will state their principles as "fact" yet in their everyday life their behavior in no way reflects these goals. And they see no problem. Someone who is striving to reach certain goals yet is unable to currently meet them should be able to acknowledge this fact. While every behavior might not reach their stated goals, some behavior should be consistent with the stated goals or at least some amount of effort should be seen. I get very tired with those that go around telling all how they should behave, yet don't themselves. And no evidence of behaving in this manner has ever been seen.
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
29 Dec 12
i agree, st.louis. it's one thing to say that you are working on a certain aspect of yourself or trying to improve on a certain value. it's another thing, on the other hand to charge others with being substandard, when we ourselves are not perfect. the saying goes. don't throw stones unless you live in a glass house.
@smiling_ja (261)
• Philippines
29 Dec 12
I think hypocrisy is a state of ones mind. We have free will, we can do whatever we want, and in everything we do, we have choices - are we doing this because this is the right thing to do according to our belief and virtue, or are we doing this because this is what we want others to believe who the kind of person we are. Whatever the reason, it starts with our own reasoning and admittedly, some are very good at subtly portraying somebody far different from who they truly are.
@creationhub (3066)
• Malaysia
29 Dec 12
If I am to take a reflection at the end of each day on what I do or what I have said, a lot of hyprocricy has been subtly done. Therefore, we are still human and have faults. Trying to be so righteous and not being hypocritic may harm us and pressure us more than living normally.
Just know what to do when we realize we did or said something wrong.
@kitoplayer (65)
• Argentina
29 Dec 12
Don't have ideals at all, they are perfect, thereby IMPOSSIBLE. Hypocresy is not a natural flaw, it is a mind flaw, and mind is against nature.
