Hypocrite Vs Sanctimonious: What’s The Difference?

When we talk about people who are hypocrites, we’re usually referring to someone who claims to have one set of values but practices something completely different. For example, you might say that your friend is a hypocrite because she always tells others to be honest, but she’s dishonest herself all the time.

On the other hand, when we refer to someone as being sanctimonious, we’re usually talking about someone who is trying to act holier-than-thou. They might make a big show of refusing to do something because they think it’s wrong or immoral, even though they probably do it themselves often enough.

What is Hypocrite?

Hypocrite is someone who pretends to have moral values they do not actually have. They use words and phrases like “I am innocent” or “I never do that” to try to make themselves look good. This is often done in order to get something they want, like a promotion or a discount. The term “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word for “under-actor.”

Hypocrite:
Someone who is hypocritical is someone who pretends to have one set of beliefs, but actually has a different set of beliefs. They may act like they care about others, but in reality they only care about themselves.

What is Sanctimonious?

Sanctimonious means to behave in a way that makes you look righteous and superior. This often involves trying to act like you have all the answers, when you really don’t. You may also be speaking down to or dismissing other people, without any real reason.

Sanctimonious people can be very judgmental and tend to think they know better than others. They may also be very self-righteous and think they are always right. This can make them unpleasant to be around, because they often come across as pompous and arrogant.

What is a sanctimonious person?

A sanctimonious person is someone who appears to be righteous and high-minded but is actually self-righteous and hypocritical. Sanctimonious people often have a sense of entitlement, believing that they are entitled to special treatment or privileges because of their good character or moral standing. They can also be boastful and arrogant, thinking of themselves above others.

The Difference Between Hypocrite and Sanctimonious

Hypocrite
A person who uses words and behavior to appear virtuous or righteous when they are not.

Sanctimonious
A person who uses words and behavior to seem pious or honorable when they are not.

The difference between these two behaviors is that a hypocrite will use their words and actions to try and project an image that they believe is appropriate, while a sanctimonious person will use their words and actions to create the false impression that they are better than everyone else.

Both of these behaviors can be destructive, but a hypocrite’s deception is usually easier to see through because it is transparent, while a sanctimonious person’s deception can be more damaging because it may go unnoticed.

How to Recognize Hypocrite Behavior

Hypocrite behavior is often easy to spot if you know what to look for. Here are some key signs:

-The hypocrite always puts themselves first. They never hesitate to take advantage of others, even when it comes to matters of fairness and justice.
-They often make grandiose claims about their own abilities or moral worth while dismissing the same qualities in others.
-They have a need for attention and approval that goes beyond reasonable needs. They are often very demanding, even abusive, with those whom they care about.
-Their words and actions seldom match up.

-They typically have no empathy for the feelings or needs of others.

-They are often very critical of others, even while they themselves display few or no qualities that merit such criticism.

How to Respond To Hypocritical People

Hypocrite people are usually those who do something out of convenience or politeness but still hold themselves to a higher moral standard than others.

Sanctimonious people, on the other hand, are those who take everything they say and do to be completely sincere and righteous in their beliefs. Here’s how to tell the difference between the two:

If someone is acting hypocritically, it’s likely because they’re not really committed to their own beliefs. For example, if someone says they care about ethics, but then goes off and takes advantage of someone else, they’re probably acting hypocritically. Sanctimonious people are usually more honest with their actions and are more likely to be sincere in what they believe.

Conclusion

It can be easy to get caught up in the moment and do or say things that we might later regret. One of the things that often happens is that we become hypocrites — we say one thing but do something else. We might think we are being sanctimonious by acting like martyrs, but in reality, what we are doing is hurting ourselves more than anyone else. It’s important, to be honest with ourselves and understand where our values lie so that we can live according to them without harming others.