Ian McDiarmid Quotes

A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would make a dupe of himself too, if he could.

In politics you learn to always smile.

Hypocrisy is the outside of cynicism.

Hypocrisy is the scarlet letter in politics.

Hypocrisy is the vaseline of political intercourse.

The politician is an acrobat. He keeps his balance by saying the opposite of what he does.

He’s one of the few men in the history of this country to run for high office talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time and lying out of both sides.

You have to live with the people in hypocrisy for them to stay happy with you.

Hypocrisy is the universal solvent of social relations.

It might be said that the pose of absolute honesty is the most dishonest one of all.

People are not what they seem. Some of them are sweet and kind to you, but that's not their real face.

A politician normally flatters you in your face and criticises you behind your back.

A lot of times in politics you have people look you in the eye and tell you what's not on their mind.

A politician is required to listen to humbug, talk humbug, condone humbug. The most we can hope for is that we don't actually believe it.

Hypocrisy is no cheap vice; nor can our natural temper be masked for many years together.

Hypocrisy is nothing, in fact, but a horrible hopefulness.

I don't know a lot about politics. I like talking about human behavior. Politicians are funny to me because they often say one thing and behave a different way.

You don’t return people’s smiles—it’s perfectly clear to you that people can smile and smile and still be villains.

Irony is the recourse of the weak-minded wimp, I think. I hate bands that deliver their songs with knowing smiles on their faces, so that if those songs fall flat they can say 'Ah well, we never really meant it anyway.' It's so dishonest.

John McCain... looks like a fraud to me.

The weaker the country, the stronger the smile.

His mouth is for export and his head has no entrance.

The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in him. He enthusiastically engages in deception, yet wants others to have affection for him. He conducts himself like an animal, yet wants others to think well of him.

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.

Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.