--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Discretion is the polite word for…" description: "\"Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.\" — Christine Keeler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg" --- # Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy. ![“Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.” quote by Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg) > “Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.” [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The saying suggests that calling something discretion is a polite way to hide hypocrisy. **In simple terms:** Polite language can mask insincerity. Key Takeaway Watch for hidden motives behind courteous words. Themes hypocrisy politeness social perception Mood cautious critical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - political negotiations - personal relationships - public speaking Key Concepts ethics communication psychology Questions to Reflect On - When have you seen “discretion” used to conceal truth? - How does this affect trust? A Different Perspective Politeness may be genuine, not just a cover. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discretion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion/) [Discretion Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion-polite-3409382/) [Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) [Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite/) [Polite Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite-word-2631134/) [Word Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-hypocrisy-3409380/) ## Related quotes > [“Discretion is a polite word for hypocrisy. Tea Party Teddy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-harman-author/discretion-is-a-polite-word-for-hypocrisy-tea-party-teddy/) [Dianne Harman Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-harman-author/) > [Nobody ever invented a polite word for a killing yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-ritter/nobody-ever-invented-a-polite-word-for-a-killing-yet/) [Thelma Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-ritter/) > [Objectivity does not exist. The word is a hypocrisy which is sustained by the lie that the truth stays in the middle. No, sir:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/objectivity-does-not-exist-the-word-is-a-hypocrisy-which-is-sustained/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [Objectivity does not exist - it cannot exist!.. The word is a hypocrisy which is sustained by the lie that the truth stays in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/objectivity-does-not-exist-it-cannot-exist-the-word-is-a-hypocrisy/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [Troubled is a polite word for what I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle/troubled-is-a-polite-word-for-what-i-am/) [Gabrielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle/) > [Knowledge is a polite word for dead but not buried imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/knowledge-is-a-polite-word-for-dead-but-not-buried-imagination/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [“Politeness is the first thing people lose once they get the power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/politeness-is-the-first-thing-people-lose-once-they-get-the-power/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“Commonality & Camaraderie. By identifying, developing, and connecting powerful points of reference to others, you will have a rich resource of information from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/commonality-camaraderie-by-identifying-developing-and-connecting/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ Forgiveness is the best part of valor...Discretion is easy. It's finding the courage to forgive yourself and others that is hard. \[Acheron\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/forgiveness-is-the-best-part-of-valor-discretion-is-easy-it-s-finding/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [“All sexual activity performed is at the discretion of the participants and is confined to only one hour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-a-miles/all-sexual-activity-performed-is-at-the-discretion-of-the/) [Karen A.Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-a-miles/) > [The fleet sailed to its war base in the North Sea, headed not so much for some rendezvous with glory as for rendezvous with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/the-fleet-sailed-to-its-war-base-in-the-north-sea-headed-not-so-much/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [Aishwarya, my parent's daughter, has been brought up with enough values inculcated where I will use my discretion in my choices. At the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/aishwarya-my-parent-s-daughter-has-been-brought-up-with-enough-values/) [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/) > [The policeman on the beat or in the patrol car makes more decisions and exercises broader discretion affecting the daily lives of people every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-policeman-on-the-beat-or-in-the-patrol-car-makes-more-decisions/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) ## More by Christine Keeler > [We knew we were talking about spies. I knew he knew I knew. I was digging my own grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/we-knew-we-were-talking-about-spies-i-knew-he-knew-i-knew-i-was/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [No one else knows the whole story. I was there. I lived through it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/no-one-else-knows-the-whole-story-i-was-there-i-lived-through-it/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [I went out every single night so I was never alone with my stepfather. At 12, I stopped going on holiday with them. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/i-went-out-every-single-night-so-i-was-never-alone-with-my-stepfather/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [All that Swinging Sixties. It didn’t do anyone any good, did it? Easy sex and the Pill. Marriages were ruined. I never did approve.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/all-that-swinging-sixties-it-didn-t-do-anyone-any-good-did-it-easy/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [I enjoyed sex and indulged in it when I fancied the men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/i-enjoyed-sex-and-indulged-in-it-when-i-fancied-the-men/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [The fathers, if they got me alone, would try to kiss and fondle me. I hated it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/the-fathers-if-they-got-me-alone-would-try-to-kiss-and-fondle-me-i/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [They came and bound me up and I had awful stretch marks. I hated my breasts after that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/they-came-and-bound-me-up-and-i-had-awful-stretch-marks-i-hated-my/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [As a little girl I used to daydream about my real father coming on a white horse to rescue me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/as-a-little-girl-i-used-to-daydream-about-my-real-father-coming-on-a/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [I have always been free with my love - it is my nature. I am easily captivated by men and they have always been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/i-have-always-been-free-with-my-love-it-is-my-nature-i-am-easily/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [Bill Astor knew these papers were missing. Stephen showed his hand in October.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/bill-astor-knew-these-papers-were-missing-stephen-showed-his-hand-in/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [I never found anyone who was good enough, who I could trust enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/i-never-found-anyone-who-was-good-enough-who-i-could-trust-enough/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [Men, all men, were always trying to get hold of me, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/men-all-men-were-always-trying-to-get-hold-of-me-you-know/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [I have survived and possibly I should not hope for more than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/i-have-survived-and-possibly-i-should-not-hope-for-more-than-that/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [I won't say I didn't like it at the time, the sex, that is, because I wouldn't have let him do it at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/i-won-t-say-i-didn-t-like-it-at-the-time-the-sex-that-is-because-i/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [One way of reading my life is that I have been in constant search for a father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/one-way-of-reading-my-life-is-that-i-have-been-in-constant-search-for/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) [Explore all 29 Christine Keeler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) ## More Discretion quotes > [The policeman on the beat or in the patrol car makes more decisions and exercises broader discretion affecting the daily lives of people every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-policeman-on-the-beat-or-in-the-patrol-car-makes-more-decisions/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Aishwarya, my parent's daughter, has been brought up with enough values inculcated where I will use my discretion in my choices. At the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/aishwarya-my-parent-s-daughter-has-been-brought-up-with-enough-values/) [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/) > [The fleet sailed to its war base in the North Sea, headed not so much for some rendezvous with glory as for rendezvous with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/the-fleet-sailed-to-its-war-base-in-the-north-sea-headed-not-so-much/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [“All sexual activity performed is at the discretion of the participants and is confined to only one hour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-a-miles/all-sexual-activity-performed-is-at-the-discretion-of-the/) [Karen A.Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-a-miles/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Forgiveness is the best part of valor...Discretion is easy. It's finding the courage to forgive yourself and others that is hard. \[Acheron\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/forgiveness-is-the-best-part-of-valor-discretion-is-easy-it-s-finding/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“Commonality & Camaraderie. By identifying, developing, and connecting powerful points of reference to others, you will have a rich resource of information from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/commonality-camaraderie-by-identifying-developing-and-connecting/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out discretion, and so disappears the most immediate breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-lay-aside-letters-never-to-read-them-again-and-at-last-we-destroy/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Drunkenness is the very sepulcher Of man's wit and his discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-chaucer/drunkenness-is-the-very-sepulcher-of-man-s-wit-and-his-discretion/) [Geoffrey Chaucer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-chaucer/) > [Great is our admiration of the orator who speaks with fluency and discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/great-is-our-admiration-of-the-orator-who-speaks-with-fluency-and/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Be not too tame neither, but let your own Discretion be your tutor; suit the action to the word, the word to the action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/be-not-too-tame-neither-but-let-your-own-discretion-be-your-tutor/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [O sir, you are old; nature in you stands on the very verge of her confine; you should be ruled and led by some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-sir-you-are-old-nature-in-you-stands-on-the-very-verge-of-her/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I have tales to tell, but I don't tell them. Discretion. Discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-peck/i-have-tales-to-tell-but-i-don-t-tell-them-discretion-discretion/) [Gregory Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-peck/) > [When you learn to discipline your tongue, you'll stop scrutinizing, judging and condemning others. You'll then focus on your own weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/when-you-learn-to-discipline-your-tongue-you-ll-stop-scrutinizing/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) [Browse all 364 Discretion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christine Keeler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocrisy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discretion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocrisy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/christine-keeler-21322_discretion_discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocr_2903109.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.” — Christine Keeler", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christine Keeler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Discretion is the polite word for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocrisy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/discretion-is-the-polite-word-for-hypocrisy/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```