With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.

With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.

Be hypocritical, be cautious, be
Not what you seem but always what you see.

Be hypocritical, be cautious, be
Not what you seem but always what you see.

Oh, for a forty-parson power to chant
Thy praise, Hypocrisy! Oh, for a hymn
Loud as the read more

Oh, for a forty-parson power to chant
Thy praise, Hypocrisy! Oh, for a hymn
Loud as the virtues thou dost loudly vaunt,
Not practise!

And prate and preach about what others prove,
As if the world and they were hand and glove.

And prate and preach about what others prove,
As if the world and they were hand and glove.

Thus 'tis with all; their chief and constant care
Is to seem everything but what they are.

Thus 'tis with all; their chief and constant care
Is to seem everything but what they are.

Away, and mock the time with fairest show;
False face must hide what the false heart doth khow.

Away, and mock the time with fairest show;
False face must hide what the false heart doth khow.

O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face!
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?

O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face!
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?

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

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

Those who try to lead the people can only do so by following the mob

Those who try to lead the people can only do so by following the mob