Judith Martin Quotes

Hypocrisy is the universal solvent of social relations.

We have, in fact, two kinds of morality side by side; one which we preach but do not practice, and another which we practice but seldom preach.

To all the rest of his Absurdities, (for vice is always unreasonable,) he adds one more, who expects that Vertue from another which he won't practise himself.

An ounce of hypocrisy is worth a pound of ambition.

Hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue.

Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment of spirit. It cannot, like adultery or gluttony, be practiced at spare moments; it is a whole-time job.

What most men call their conscience is imaginary virtue switching left or right according to self-interest.

The more immoral we become in big ways, the more puritanical we become in little ways.

Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.

Be virtuous and you will be vicious.

Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.

Well, when I was a kid, if my father was witnessing something that he thought was particularly outrageous or he was looking at some sort of a question that he thought lacked proper definition, he would say, Well, at least Jesse James had the honor to wear a mask.

I like the English. They have the most rigid code of immorality in the world.

The virtue of some people consists wholly in condemning the vices in others.

Hypocrisy is not a way of getting back to the moral high ground. Pretending you're moral, saying your moral is not the same as acting morally.

Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.

In England the only homage which they pay to Virtue - is hypocrisy.

Virtue has a veil, vice a mask.

Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.

My judges preach against free love openly, practice it secretly.

… he must deceive, misrepresent, leave false impressions … and trust to charm, loyalty and the result to make up for it…. A great man cannot be a good man.

Men condemne the same things in others, which they approve in themselves; on the other side, they publickly commend what they privately condemne;

Living on hypocrisy is not a healthy diet for patriots.

I think I wear my hypocrisy on my sleeve. I would never say I'm not a complete hypocrite.

Getting a moral lecture from the fashion industry is like Jeffrey Dahmer criticising your diet.