Frithjof Schuon

Both cynicism and hypocrisy are forms of pride: cynicism is the caricature of sincerity or frankness, whereas hypocrisy is the caricature of scrupulousness or self-discipline, or of virtue in general. Cynics believe that sincerity consists in exhibiting shortcomings and passions and that to hide them is to be a hypocrite; they do not exercise self-control and still less do they seek to transcend themselves; and the fact that they take their fault for a virtue is clear proof of their pride.

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First published in Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 9, No. 4 (Autumn 1975); and afterwards in the books Esoterism as Principle and as Way, and Prayer Fashions Man: Frithjof Schuon on the Spiritual Life, published by World Wisdom. Republished here with warm thanks.