The Weight of Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy stands out to men when it isn't their own; when it is, often, we do not face it.

Aurelius Kadzius

No man alive today has not been a hypocrite in some fashion. Most hypocrisy can be summed up with this phrase, "Do as I say, not as I do."  It was a phrase I learned in the Marines when describing garbage leadership. It sums it up nicely; another phrase comes to mind, "Practice what you preach." 

These things matter to men because a man's word used to be as good as gold. If a man said he would do something for someone, he did it. If you are around men who speak much and do little follow through, they will not be taken seriously because they do not take their own words seriously. 

It is easy to point the finger at another man, judge him alongside your brothers, and say nothing to him. If he is a man of good character, perhaps he is not aware; let him know it's evident that things are not as obvious as we like to claim. He may be so dense or delusional that he may not realize his hypocrisy. Many men don't. 

It runs deep, and it is easy to speak and write and then do nothing; because who will hold a man accountable when he is alone? A man alone must keep his word to himself, and god, so he does not become a great liar or sinner for himself. 

My hypocrisy is often glaring at me right in the eyes. I often ask myself, who do you think you are to write about anything, let alone something like being a man worthy of anything good? I am not good by any means, but I believe I am trying, and like many of us, we can all try harder. A man in the trench can only help other men survive the trench. 

Do your best to understand that you will be a hypocrite in one way or another. When you identify it, own the action that you do that doesn't follow suit with your word. Take action to change it, or keep your teeth together. 

Seek Knowledge & Grow Strong.