Everyone is a hypocrite. Point blank. Sue me.

Alright, I admit that such a blanket statement is pregnant with a lot of meaning, and indeed a highly incendiary remark–but suffer me just a moment. The definition of hypocrisy is to say one thing, yet do another. To hold people to one standard, yet seemingly apply another to yourself. This is the vein along which hypocrisy runs.

Now, which one of us dares to claim that they always act out what they think, or do what they say? No one can fully align their actions with their speech and thoughts. Some degree of cognitive dissonance is normal, and I would argue a necessary precondition of being human–a condicio sine qua non. Thus, we are all hypocrites. Q.E.D.

Now, since being hypocritical is simply part of being human, we shouldn’t feel too bad about it. Ignorance of our innate proclivity for hypocrisy is blameworthy, but the great harm–deserving of the highest censure–is wilfully, consciously, and repeatedly carrying out hypocritical actions. This is beyond reprehensible, and there is no excuse. Sadly, as with all natural vices, shameless hypocrisy is as old as humanity itself.

In short, we are all hypocrites, but shameless hypocrisy is the true evil.

– Y