quotations about insincerity
The difficulty with humorists is that they will mix what they believe with what they don't--whichever seems likelier to win an effect.
JOHN UPDIKE
Rabbit, Run
If we were not insincere ourselves, it would be difficult for others to be insincere; there is something more than the false glare, the vague presentiments, the fugitive tones, and momentary flashes of light around us.
WILLIAM RAWLE
attributed, Day's Collacon
Insincerity is like a Dead Sea apple; very fair to look at, but nothing but disappointment awaits those who trust to its appearances.
G. JACOB
attributed, Day's Collacon
All mankind practice insincerity; in every relation of life they wear a mask to cover their designs. In the battle of life it is not so much the struggle for superiority as it is the endeavor to discover one man's design upon another.
JAMES ELLIS
attributed, Day's Collacon
A boorish man thanks God very loudly that he is not insincere--nobody having ever thought of accusing him even of that small and wretched approach to politeness, which is sometimes flavored by insincerity.
ARTHUR HELPS
attributed, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers
Insincerity is a base coin; we seek to produce something valuable with that which we know to be worthless.
MRS. ROSS CHURCH
attributed, Day's Collacon
Generally it will be found that where apparent insincerity is operative, it is unintelligence that warps the action into evil direction. Granting inherent sincerity in human nature, its miscarriage into foul expression must be due to want of keen intelligence.
ALVIN BOYD KUHN
Who Is This King of Glory?
Insincerity crucifies the heart.
C. C. BURR
attributed, Day's Collacon
Insincerity is a disease-habit that would destroy good society if it were allowed to spread indefinitely; but sincerity is like sunshine that destroys evil germs of many kinds.
HAROLD W. BROWN
"Habits That Affect Business", Electrical Construction and Maintenance, September 1918
I had trouble listening to adults who didn't really mean anything that they said; it was as if their language poured into my ears only to drain right out a little spigot in the back of my head.
REIF LARSEN
The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet
Of all the evil spirits abroad at this hour in the world, insincerity is the most dangerous.
JAMES ANTHONY FROUDE
Short Studies on Great Subjects