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Saturday, August 23, 2025

HYPOCRISY, LYING AND THE ANALECTS – a short note.




In the Analects, false words are marks of small men, not the noble person.
Speech without sincerity deceives others and corrupts the self.
Hypocrisy is words without matching deeds.
It is the appearance of virtue without its substance, which Confucius called shameful.
Such a life cannot sustain trust. And without trust, neither friendships nor states can endure.
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue (Analects 1:3).
The superior person is ashamed if his words exceed his deeds (Analects 14:27).
Clever words and a pretentious manner rarely accompany benevolence (Analects 17:17).
Without trust, a state cannot stand (Analects 12:7).
Peace,
anas

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