Sunday, March 23, 2008

Blog Against Hypocrisy



hyp·o·crite
1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

Arabic: مُراءٍ، مُنافِق
Chinese (Simplified): 伪君子
Chinese (Traditional): 偽君子
Czech: pokrytec
Danish: hykler
Dutch: hypocriet, huichelaar, schijnheilige
Estonian: silmakirjateener
Finnish: tekopyhä
French: hypocrite
German: der, *die Heuchler(in)
Greek: υποκριτής
Hungarian: képmutató
Icelandic: hræsnari
Indonesian: orang munafik
Italian: ipocrita

Japanese: 偽善者
Korean: 위선자
Latvian: liekulis
Lithuanian: veidmainis
Norwegian: hykler, skinnhellig person
Polish: hipokryta
Portuguese (Brazil): hipócrita
Portuguese (Portugal): hipócrita
Romanian: ipocrit
Russian: лицемер
Slovak: pokrytec
Slovenian: hinavec
Spanish: hipócrita
Swedish: hycklare
Turkish: ikiyüzlü, *riyakâr kimse



There are more languages but you get my point. Every culture understands hypocrisy, and has a word for it. What I think is an interesting question is that, if the people of the world were actually as religious as they claim, shouldn't the world be a more harmonious place than it is?

One would think so. But the damn hypocrites screw it up. If you call yourself a religious person, you should back it up with your words and actions.

The Hypocrite-in-Chief needs to particularly hear this message. But it applies equally well to any and all little petty dictators you may have in your life.

You probably know one of the following species in greater number than the other; to every hypocritical potentate in your life, give 'em the finger. To every angel in your life, give them your heart. I'm sure you can tell the difference, and in both cases, it feels good.


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