Mr. Addison somewhere observes, that hypocrisy at the fashionable end of
the town, is very different from hypocrisy in the city. The fashionable
hypocrite endeavours to appear more vicious than he really is; the other
kind of hypocrite more virtuous. The former is afraid of every thing
that has a shew of religion in it, and would be thought engaged in any
criminal gallantries and amours, of which he is not guilty. The latter
assumes a face of sanctity, and covers a multitude of vices, under a
seemingly religious deportment. There is a third sort of hypocrites, who
not only deceive the world, but very often impose upon themselves. These
different kinds of hypocrisy cannot be too much detested. The first is a
flagrant depravity of mind, which induces a man to prefer the appearance
of vice to virtue, and despicable to an amiable character. The second
disgraces and abuses virtue by assuming her resemblance; the last,
though not more criminal, is more dangerous than either of the former,
as it is accompanied with mental blindness, and self deception.
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