Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

S. Austin Allibone, comp. Prose Quotations from Socrates to Macaulay. 1880.

Hypocrisy

The hypocrite would not put on the appearance of virtue if it was not the most proper means to gain love.

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

Hypocrisy, of course, delights in the most sublime speculations; for, never intending to go beyond speculation, it costs nothing to have it magnificent.

If the devil ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has: they serve him better than any others, and receive no wages: nay, what is still more extraordinary, they submit to greater mortifications to go to hell, than the sincerest Christian to go to heaven.

Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue.

I would rather see all affairs go to wrack and ruine than falsifie my faith to secure them. For as to this vertue of dissimulation, which is now in so great request, I mortally hate it; and of all vices, find none that does evidence so much baseness and meanness of spirit. ’Tis a cowardly and servile humour to hide and disguise a man’s self under a vizor, and not to dare to shew himself what he is. By that our followers are train’d up to treachery. Being brought up to speak what is not true, they make no conscience of a lye. A generous heart ought not to belye its own thoughts, but will make it self seen within, all there is good, or at least manly.

The favourable and good word of men comes oftentimes at a very easy rate; and by a few demure looks and affected whims, set off with some odd devotional postures and grimaces, and such other little acts of dissimulation, cunning men will do wonders.

The fawning, sneaking, and flattering hypocrite, that will do or be anything for his own advantage.

Hypocrisy is much more eligible than open infidelity and vice: it wears the livery of religion, and is cautious of giving scandal: nay, continued disguises are too great a constraint; men would leave off their vices rather than undergo the toil of practising them in private.

The making religion necessary to interest might increase hypocrisy; but if one in twenty should be brought to true piety, and nineteen be only hypocrites, the advantage would still be great.

It is possible for a man who hath the appearance of religion to be wicked and an hypocrite; but it is impossible for a man who openly declares against religion to give any reasonable security that he will not be false and cruel.

Whoever is a hypocrite in his religion mocks God, presenting to him the outside, and reserving the inward for his enemy.

It is hard to personate and act a part long; for where truth is not at the bottom, nature will always be endeavouring to return, and will pass out and betray herself one time or other.