Dictionary.com defines a hypocrite as a person who pretends to have virtues, morals, or religious beliefs, principals, ect., that he or she does not actually posses, especially a person who's actions belie stated beliefs. They also define hypocrite as a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements. In other words a person who appears or says to believe one way, but who's actions contradict the stated belief.

How do you know if you or someone you know is a hypocrite? You may have heard the saying "practice what you preach." I believe this is a good explanation of hypocrisy. A person who is hypocritical does not practice what they preach.

Everyone has their own views on their virtues, moral, and beliefs. We are all human and can not always possibly live up to these every moment of our lives. Unfortunately there are some people who continually commit actions that go against what they tell others they believe in.

Just turn on the news any given day and we are given examples of hypocrisy. We have seen Congressmen, Church officials, Mayors, and so forth tied up in scandal. People who have told us how we should live moral and virtuous lives. They were examples for the community. Until it was brought to light that they were cheating, stealing, lying, committing affairs, and so on.

We are human and make mistakes, buy it seems those who are hypocrites continually live a lie. They show the outside world a perfect façade, but in actuality they are just as flawed as the rest of us. There is no shame in admitting your flaws and trying to correct them. There is shame in pretending to be perfect and degrading others on their short comings when you have the same ones or worse.