Self-righteousness

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Self-righteousness (also called sanctimony, sententiousness, and holier-than-thou attitudes [1] [2] ) is an attitude and belief of moral superiority derived from a person deeming their own beliefs, actions, or affiliations to be of greater virtue than those of others. [3] Self-righteous individuals are often intolerant of the opinions and behaviors of others that they deem to be less virtuous. [4]

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A "holier-than-thou" attitude is a form of self-righteousness. The phrase originates from Isaiah 65:5 in the King James Bible, which says : “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou”

Virtue signalling is a pejorative neologism for the expression of a disingenuous moral viewpoint with the intent of communicating good character.

References

  1. "definition of holier-than-thou by the Free Online Dictionary". Thefreedictionary.com. Retrieved 2013-03-11.
  2. "Holier than thou" originates from the King James Bible, Isaiah 65:5, in which such an attitude is condemned
  3. "the definition of self-righteous". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  4. "the definition of self-righteous". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 22 October 2017.

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