What does "holier then thou" mean?

Question

Below is a quote from the recent news about Idaho Sen. Larry Craig. What does "holier then thou" here mean?

"Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said his party stood to gain. "All of these people who (are) holier than thou are now under investigations. ... I think the Republican Party will find itself in a great peril next year," he said"

Answer 1

You've got some great answers already, so I'll just add a minor etymological point. "Thou" once was the familiar form of "you" in English (like the German "du" or French "tu") - used for friends, family, and loved ones. Strangely, it was this informal/affectionate pronoun that was dropped from our language, leaving English with only the more formal form, "you". Thou was the form used in the King James Version of the Bible in deity-human interactions (i.e. "Thou art" rather than "you are"), so etymologically speaking, to say someone is "holier than thou" means they are behaving as though they are holier than God.

Answer 2

Those people who would judge others are themselves being judged (coming under investigation)...recall what Jesus said: Let him who is without sin cast the first stone! Since I am not acquainted with Idaho politics, I cannot be specific; however, it would seem that Craig is conducting some sort of "witchhunt" which Clyburn thinks will backfire apparently because according to Clyburn (D) the Republicans have committed greater/worse transgressions. This may refer to fundraising tactics, which is a usual bone of contention between the political parties.

Answer 3

He seems to be saying the "people" or republicans who believed they were above reproach and probably acted as if they were better or more moral, are now under investigation. I believe the cliche' he didn't use would be they were knocked down off their pedestal.

Answer 4

Uses their faith in a negative, anti-social way towards others

Basically an arrogant, self-righteous git

One of the characteristics of a Pharisee

Answer 5

It is a matafor indicating an attitude of being better placed than the others.

Answer 6

it means they act like they are perfect when in reality nobody is perfect -- like sen craig even though being busted trying to solicit bathroom sex is insisting he is a good christian married heterosexual that would never do such things.

the greeks called it ethos -- its arguing based on personal character. you try to make yourself look like a fine upstanding citizen to build your defense.

Answer 7

People that act better than others - but in reality are the same, or sometimes worse.

This reflects to how people act in real life, their character.

Answer 8

It means someone who is obnoxiously pious, or who thinks that somehow their faith makes them better than others.