---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He is a hypocrite who professes what he…"
description: "\"He is a hypocrite who professes what he does not believe; not he who does not practice all he wishes or approves.\" — William Hazlitt"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/541/william-hazlitt-326_hypocrisy_he-is-a-hypocrite-who-professes-what-he_2047605.png"
---

#  He is a hypocrite who professes what he does not believe…

![“He is a hypocrite who professes what he does not believe; not he who does not practice all he wishes or approves.” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/541/william-hazlitt-326_hypocrisy_he-is-a-hypocrite-who-professes-what-he_2047605.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/541/william-hazlitt-326_hypocrisy_he-is-a-hypocrite-who-professes-what-he_2047605.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/541/william-hazlitt-326_hypocrisy_he-is-a-hypocrite-who-professes-what-he_2047605.png)

> “He is a hypocrite who professes what he does not believe; not he who does not practice all he wishes or approves.”

[William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A hypocrite preaches beliefs they don’t hold, unlike someone who fails to practice all they endorse.

**In simple terms:** Hypocrisy is preaching without belief; not merely failing to act on all beliefs.

Key Takeaway

Distinguish between false preaching and imperfect practice.

Themes

morality integrity authenticity

Mood

critical philosophical

Type

analytical thought‑provoking

When to use this quote

- political speeches
- religious teachings
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

ethical consistency personal integrity public discourse

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you judge hypocrites by words or actions?
- How do you handle personal failings while maintaining integrity?

A Different Perspective

People may judge imperfect practice more harshly than insincere preaching.

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[Does Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/does-believe-703484/) [Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) [Hypocrite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrite/) [Hypocrite Professes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrite-professes-3842086/) [Professes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professes-1939583/) [Professes Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professes-does-3842087/)

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## More by William Hazlitt

> [First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/first-impressions-are-often-the-truest-as-we-find-not-infrequently-to/)

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> [The discussing the characters and foibles of common friends is a great sweetness and cement of friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-discussing-the-characters-and-foibles-of-common-friends-is-a/)

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> [Everybody should read 'Slaughterhouse-Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. This book is about the hypocrisy of war, told in satire, and is hard-hitting and truthful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/everybody-should-read-slaughterhouse-five-by-kurt-vonnegut-this-book/)

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> [“even the worst men wanted to be perceived as better than they were. How else could hypocrisy have risen to such delirious levels?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-leon/even-the-worst-men-wanted-to-be-perceived-as-better-than-they-were/)

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