Hi again,

I've been a little surprised with how much emphasis has been put on hypocrisy throughout discussions over this board and throughout the sports media in general. 

I have to admit that I haven't been used to such reactions over the issue of hypocrisy, especially not to the point of dismissing others actions or words over such a simple and basically human issue as hypocrisy.  I mean, if we stopped listening wherever we see hypocrisy, we'd be stuck not even listening to our own selves, no ?  I thought I must either be dumb for not seeing how much of a problem hypocrisy is, or, I'm a bit self conscious of my own hypocrisy and accepting, to a certain point, of other's own hypocrisy... (I know you'll reply "you're dumb", but anyway...).

I've been reading a few things on hypocrisy this afternoon... Here's an interesting statement I fell uppon...

(1) Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches. Samuel Johnson made this point when he wrote about the misuse of the charge of "hypocrisy" in Rambler No. 14:

Nothing is more unjust, however common, than to charge with hypocrisy him that expresses zeal for those virtues which he neglects to practice; since he may be sincerely convinced of the advantages of conquering his passions, without having yet obtained the victory, as a man may be confident of the advantages of a voyage, or a journey, without having courage or industry to undertake it, and may honestly recommend to others, those attempts which he neglects himself.

This post has been removed.