Quote by William Hazlitt
A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would make a dupe of himself too, if he could.
Summary
This quote highlights the nature of hypocrisy, emphasizing that a hypocrite not only deceives others but also lacks self-respect. It suggests that a hypocrite's disdain for those they deceive is contradictory because they are essentially deceiving themselves as well. The quote implies that if given the opportunity, a hypocrite would readily deceive and manipulate themselves in order to maintain their facade. Overall, the quote portrays hypocrisy as a behavior that undermines both personal integrity and genuine interactions with others.