By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Are you a hypocrite? Most likely we are all guilty of that conduct, or misconduct, at one time or another. Maybe Frederick IV of Prussia was right when he maintained that "every man is a hypocrite." What harm is there in telling a homely bride that she looks stunning, or a foolish boss that he is a genius? To be branded as a hypocrite by others, evidently is a more serious plight. A hypocrite is one who pretends to be one thing, and is another. One who conforms outwardly, but practices the opposite inwardly. "All are not saints that go to church," goes the famous proverb. A hypocrite often uses religion as his shield, feigning piety, praying regularly whilst all along he knows that he shall deceive his neighbour, cheat his wife, and rob his boss. Certainly we are not all hypocrites! Or are we? The word hypocrisy derives from the Greek "hypokrisis" which means play-acting. A hypocrite therefore is one who 'plays a part' from "hypokritis," a Greek technical description of a stage actor, but not considered appropriate for a public figure. The subtle metamorphosis of the term occurred during the 4th century BC in Athens, when the great orator, Demosthenes, ridiculed his political rival, Aeschines, who was a successful actor before taking up politics, as a "hypokrites," a mere character impersonator, and therefore not to be trusted. This negative implication remains defining a hypocrite as untrustworthy -- a counterfeit persona. It was used extensively in such writings by Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Rochefoucauld, and extensively in the Bible. It is very likely that the modern day hypocrite is unaware that his words or actions contradict his true beliefs. In antiquity, the concept was of deceiving others. "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Mathew 23:27). All religions condemn hypocrisy. In Islam the holy Koran rails against the "munafiq" who claims to be a believer and a peacemaker, and is not. Buddha denounces the man who takes the appearance of an ascetic, "but is full of passion within." Yet with so many virtues trampled upon by the boots of progress, who amongst us can claim to be all truthful at all times, with all men! Psychologists define hypocritical behaviour as judging others while justifying our own actions. That reeks of familiarity. Psychological hypocrisy is often interpreted as "an unconscious defense mechanism," rather than a conscious act of deception. Not all hypocrites are therefore Pharisees, or Sadducees, or even wolves in sheep's clothing. Not all hypocrites shed crocodile tears before devouring their victims. There is a distinction between harmless and harmful hypocrisy. Is it then a matter of degree -- are you a small hypocrite or a large one? There are definite ethical boundaries beyond which we cannot penetrate. Yet many hypocrites genuinely fail to recognise that they have breached the moral code, when they condemn others for the very faults that they are guilty of. Psychologists excuse that as self- deception rather than deliberate deception. How convenient! What about diplomacy? Is that not a more polished or diplomatic name for hypocrisy? Diplomats never mean what they say or say what they mean -- and it is perfectly acceptable. Is that how the British built an Empire by donning sheep's clothing and perfecting the art of: hyp: no dip: or is it "playacting" or pretending?" It appears that hypocrisy may have lost its sharp edge of ing some legitimacy among modern scholars. Religion is often the hiding ground of most hypocrites who feel protected with in its walls, despite all their sins. The danger of the total hypocrite is his total deception, for he is totally unknown to his fellow man. "The only evil that walks -- invisible except to God alone" (John Milton, 1608-1674). A glaring example is the deviant sexual behaviour now manifest among preachers and politicians. It is not their sex habits that are to be condemned, rather their unabashed public denouncement of the very behaviour they themselves practice behind closed doors. From Catholic priests, Sheikhs, Mullahs, Rabbis, Baptist ministers, and even presidents of states. Are they the Pharisees of today? The difference between certain indiscretions, as for example in the case of the late French president François Mitterrand and the former US president Bill Clinton is the hypocrisy and self- righteousness that the latter claimed. Congressmen and Senators pass laws banning adultery, homosexuality, pederasty, while enjoying it themselves at the end of the day. That is the kind of hypocrisy that we are to reject and abhor. It must be very trying to be a hypocrite as Somerset Maugham (1605--1674) wrote in Cakes and Ale: "Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve- racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an increasing vigilance and a self-detachment of spirit.....it is a whole-time job." To the classical Greeks who did not have Freud and other modern psychiatrists to clarify and justify, it was a cardinal sin in the eyes of the Olympian gods, and retribution was swift and merciless. Enter Freud whose psychoanalytical theories dismissed hypocritical behaviour as merely 'weakness'. The excuse of "weakness" or "the devil made me do it," may be acceptable to some, but it neither excuses or justifies hypocrisy. When you consciously profess one thing and consciously say or do the opposite in order to benefit yourself, your career, or your bank account -- this is reprehensible. If your words or deeds have no social consequence, they are of no consequence, but if they harm, destroy, deceive, or hurt others, you are guilty of inflicting pain on innocent people who have done you no wrong. Most of us contradict ourselves by believing one thing while actually doing the contrary, seeking justification for ourselves. Are we all hypocrites in a religious connotation, or are we simply weak, in a Freudian connotation? Hypocrisy is among the most universal and well studied psychological human phenomena. Humans have limitations. We often profess a belief standard that is higher than what is humanly possible; therefore we cannot live up to it. What can we do to restrain our "weak" or "hypocritical" behaviour and keep it to a bare minimum -- it begs some introspection. While doing that, let us also remember that in today's modern world, all our houses are made of glass. Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat, until he eats them -- Samuel Butler (1835-1902)
