Joseph Smith Jr. Quotes

High rank and soft manners may not always belong to a true heart.

People are ridiculous only when they try or seem to be that which they are not.

We continually say things to support an opinion, which we have given, that in reality we don't above half mean.

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.

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

If there is no hell, a good many preachers are obtaining money under false pretenses.

The only thing worse than a coach or CEO who doesn't care about his people is one who pretends to care. People can spot a phony every time.

An ounce of hypocrisy is worth a pound of ambition.

I've always felt like there are certain politicians that wear their religion on their sleeve in a way that you almost feel is disingenuous. I think that your faith has to be first personal. I struggle with those people that preach something and go back behind closed doors and live differently.

I ever will profess myself the greatest friend to those whose actions best correspond with their doctrine; which, I am sorry to say, is too seldom the case amongst those nations who pretend most to civilization.

Neither man nor angel can discern Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone.

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

If you cultivate piety as an end and not a means, you will become a hypocrite.

That an author's work is the mirror of his mind is a position that has led to very false conclusions. If Satan himself were to write a book it would be in praise of virtue, because the good would purchase it for use, and the bad for ostentation.

Fewer possess virtue, than those who wish us to believe that they possess it.

If we dealt only with the false and dishonest, we should at last forget how to speak truth.

Twas never merry world Since lowly feigning was called compliment.

I detest the man who hides on thing in the depths of his heart and speaks forth another.

Every kind of writing is hypocritical.

Cottages have them (falsehood and dissimulation) as well as courts, only with worse manners.

Hypocrisy is a revolting, psychopathic state.

It is not hard to deceive ministers, relatives and friends. But it is impossible to deceive Christ.

A modest dress is a very good thing, if it be the genuine indication of a humble heart, and is to instruct; but it is a bad thing if it be the hypocritical disguise of a proud ambitious heart, and is to deceive. Let men be really as good as they seem to be, but not seem to be better than really they are.

It is dishonorable to say one thing and think another; how much more dishonorable to write one thing and think another.

What humbugs we are, who pretend to live for beauty, and never see the dawn!