Hypocrisy is the act of pretending to have morals or virtues that one does not truly possess or practise. 

The word derives from the late Latin hypocrisis and Greek hupokrisis both meaning play-acting or pretence. The word is arguably derived from hypo- meaning small, + krinein meaning to decide/to dispute. 

A classic example of a hypocritical act is to denounce another for carrying out some action whilst carrying out the same action oneself.

The term hypocrisy is also commonly used in a way which should be more specifically termed a double standard, bias, or inconsistency. An example would be when one honestly believes that one group of individuals should be held to a different set of morals than another group.

In a biblical context, the term is used to denounce those who pray or donate openly for show but do not hold to their apparent convictions privately - Jesus uses this to refer to numerous groups, such as the Pharisees.
Hypocrisy also refers to the act of criticizing others for behaviour which one engages in as well, or in other words, not practising what you preach. An example would be a parent who smokes, but admonishes their adolescent child not to smoke.

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