What is wrong with hypocrisy? How can you be so certain that you are not a hypocrite?

Answer 1

Everyone has been a hypocrite about something once in their lives and the reality is we are always changing our minds, new information or ideas develop and sometimes forces someone to reassess their previous beliefs. I think we can always be slightly hypocritical but I still think we should try not to be. It is hard trying to be understanding of different view points and yet trying to keep to what you believe (at that time) but it is worth the effort for the most part.

Answer 2

Because when making a decision, you should ask yourself the Global Question (Would the world be a better or worse place if everyone took this action I'm going to take).


If everyone in the world was a hypocrite, it would be filled with lies and injustice, along with criticism and dislike of all those around you.

To the other question, you either know you are a hypocrite, or not know whether you are or not. No one can ever be certain to not be a hypocrite... unless you're going by another definition of hypocrisy.

Answer 3

I think it goes back to the question asked earlier, "To be hated for who you are or loved for who you aren't?"
People have this little curse called human nature. But that just means we're not robots. Every opportunity that reveals it's self to us gives us a decision to make. Every decision is made according to our own personal lifetime of experience. For example: Why would one little boy catch a ball thrown to him, while another little boy ducks and runs?

Ultimately we need to be true to ourselves, which means our lifetime of experiences. When we learn something new, we decide to adopt and incorporate a new habit. It takes 28 days in a row to establish a new habit. What is a hypocrite, anyway? Being untrue to yourself, or others.... your own conscience or public opinion? Some religions, for example, make up a common consensus as how to act and live. But what the group decides may not be realistic to all involved. So then finger pointing begins, and guilt begins. And feelings of shame, and sometimes people want to give up and walk away. Like being on a diet, for example. Just because you gave into that ONE temptation doesn't mean your a horrible person and its hopeless. Losing one battle doesn't lose the war. And if your standards are to high, make a ladder. Make small goals towards to big goal you want to attain in the end.

REMEMBER: Success is the journey, not the destination.

Answer 4

One definition of hypocrite on dictionary.com is "a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs."

Boils down pretty much to being a liar...and who do you know, that doesn't ever lie?

Not to say it's right...hypocrisy isn't kewl, neither is lying...but people particpate in both...

The cheater who has a fit that s/he was cheated on...is a hypocrite...the person who brags about work ethic and giving their employer value, then comes in to work late, leaves early, and plays computer games all day, is a hypocrite...

Simply because people do something (lie, be hypocritical) doesn't mean it's a good thing...or even okay...but we do need to realize it occurs and the relative frequency of it...

Answer 5

You can be a part of something while bad things take place without your knowing, but as soon as you know what’s happening, that's a different situation. You’re going to have to act on that knowledge. The society we live in is fundamentally flawed. It forces us to support things however indirectly it may be. It is a frustrating reality. Withdrawing from society may be the only way to avoid being hypocritical.

Answer 6

"Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue"...

The important thing is to distinguish between hypocrisy and failure. The hypocrite is a fraud; he does not beleive in the values he expouses for others.

The failure does believe in the values he expouses, but cannot fulfill them.

Most people are failures, rather than hypocrites.

Answer 7

The easiest way not to be a hypocrite, is to practise what you preach.

Buddhist parable:

A woman takes her child to see a lama, as her child will not stop eating sweets. The journey is a long and hard one. Upon reaching the location of the lama, she asks him to get the child to stop eating sugar.

"Please", says the woman, "help my child to stop eating sugar."

To which the lama replies, "bring your child back to see me in two weeks."

Confused by this, but having faith in the lama's actions, the woman leaves, set to return in two weeks.

The woman and child return to see the lama, after the two weeks has elapsed.

She repeats her plea, "Please, help my child to stop eating sugar."

The lama stares directly into the child's eyes and says "Stop eating sugar."

Confused by this, the woman asks why the lama just didn't do this when she first approached.

The lama replied matter of factly, "two weeks ago, I was eating sugar."

Answer 8

It is being two faced; one is lying to another or to one's self. It is dishonest & is not truthful.

I am a hypocite in certain areas. I am not happy about that aspect of me. I am working to be more authentic--- one day at a time. It is difficult to become real!

Answer 9

we are all hypocrites whether we like it or not. anyone who says they have never been hypocritical is lying