Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Advice For the Hypocrite

Advice For the Hypocrite

It’s so important to practice what you preach Although you might not realize you are at fault, Self-examination appears to be beyond your reach. Hypocrites are notoriously taken for a grain of salt Seeing in others what you cannot see in yourself, Although you might not realize you are at fault. Take your Holy Bible down from its topmost shelf Study the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule Seeing in others what you cannot see in yourself. Being two-faced leaves you open to abject ridicule Folks won’t give to your soliloquies much respect Study the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule. Being double-tongued folks will have come to expect Your words do not match your observable behavior, Folks won’t give to your soliloquies much respect. Please don’t try to manipulate by quoting the Savior It’s so important to practice what you preach, Your words do not match your observable behavior Self-examination appears to be beyond your reach. Written June 23, 2022

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 7/3/2022 3:05:00 AM

As a child I used to get very upset that boys were allowed to yell out answers but if I yelled out the answer I got lambasted. Years later as a teacher I realized I was doing the same thing. Allowing boys to yell out and lambasting girls for doing it. I had to reevaluate myself after that.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/3/2022 8:25:00 AM

Hmmm...I find this very interesting. I wonder what the psychology behind it is? Could it possibly be that male teachers do just the opposite? IDK.

Michael Tor

Date: 6/23/2022 9:58:00 PM

Very insightful and true. Your words were crafted perfectly. I read Toms comment in an earlier poem you wrote. I too wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery. I hope everything went well. Gods blessings Milton...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/24/2022 11:11:00 AM

It went swimmingly well, Michael. I was a big apprehensive, but I have the best doctor in the world. He's a friend, so we took extra good care of me. Thanks for your good wishes,.

David Kavanagh

Date: 6/23/2022 11:20:00 AM

Incredible Milton, how anyone can take this person serious is beyond my comprehension, it’s not even the religious aspect, but like your poem spells out, its the utter hypocrisy, either they are having a good laugh, or are seriously delusional, I enjoyed your poem, cheers David

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/23/2022 11:57:00 AM

What is funny, David, is that I wrote the poem about hypocrites in general, and everyone picked up on a specific person. That is both amusing and telling! Thank you so much for your thoughts. I think in the case you all are thinking about, it is "delusional." Glad you enjoyed the poem. We all have to guard against hypocrisy in our dealings with others.

Jenna Logan

Date: 6/23/2022 9:15:00 AM

Those who are guilty of this are blinded by the rafter size flaw in their eye while pointing to ones they accuse of having a splinter sized one in theirs. I read it earlier and shook my head. She's beyond rational self-examination.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/23/2022 9:33:00 AM

I'm afraid so, Jenna. This poem flowed so smoothly I felt I was supposed to write it. Good lessons in it for all of us, but you got the gist.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/23/2022 8:39:00 AM

Truth in this! We must take the plank from our own eye before we can give sage advice. We must study our savior’s approach. He was hardest on the pharisees who made the law what it was not meant to be and did not follow their own rules.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/23/2022 9:34:00 AM

Thank you so much for your thoughts on the poem, Kim. I appreciated them.