What is the reason for the prevalence of hypocrisy in educated and civilized society compared to animals and indigenous people?
Synthesized from Source
definition
"Hypocrisy thrives in the educated and civilized because it is the freedom to fall that allows one to pretend to soar; in the simplicity of nature, there is no room for masks."
According to Osho, hypocrisy flourishes in educated, civilized society because freedom expands: only where one can fall can one pretend to be high. Animals and indigenous people act more mechanically, with little capacity or opportunity to deviate, so there’s nothing to hide. Civilization multiplies choices, temptations and self-consciousness, making people responsible—and prone either to authentic renunciation or to masking their impulses as virtue.
When people have many choices, they can do wrong but may pretend to be good; animals and simple tribes lack such freedom, so they don’t fake it.
Why this matters practically
- Recognize where you’re merely appearing virtuous and choose genuine transformation.
- Use freedom consciously: set inner discipline instead of blaming nature or society.
- Cultivate responsibility to turn the same energy of falling into rising.
- Use freedom consciously: set inner discipline instead of blaming nature or society.
- Cultivate responsibility to turn the same energy of falling into rising.
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