😇 Holier Than Thou: Sanctimony and Smug Superiority 🙌
Holier than thou - Sanctimonious, pretending moral superiority. This term derives from the Bible (Isaiah 65:5), where the prophet, speaking of sinners, holds that they say “Come not near me, for I am holier than thou.” The phrase is frequently used as an adjective (often hyphenated as holier-than-thou) to describe those with an exaggerated sense of piety or moral superiority. As Sinclair Lewis aptly demonstrates in his novel Babbitt (1922), “But I don’t want you to think you can get away with any of that holier-than-thou stuff.”
Related and Similar Terms:
Expressions:
- On a high horse 🐴
- Pious as virtue itself ✨
- Self-righteous lighting bolt ⚡
Idioms:
- Preaching to the choir 🎤
- Nose in the air 🙄
Proverbs:
- “Pride goeth before a fall.” 📜
Synonyms:
- Sanctimonious
- Self-righteous
- Smug
Antonyms:
- Humble
- Modest
- Unpretentious
Humor-filled Quotes:
“Trying to be holier-than-thou waste so much energy; energy that could be spent sipping a nice cup of ’not-your-business’ tea.” - Regina G. Serene 🫖
Literary References:
- Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis 📚
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 📚
Cultural References:
- Movie: Dogma (1999) 🎬
- Song: “Holier Than Thou” by Metallica 🎵🗯️
- Poem: “The Saints” by John Donne ✒️
Inspirational Farewell: ✨
“Embrace humility and shun false virtuous airs. Be genuine in your quest for goodness. And next time someone acts holier than thou, just smile and enjoy your own authentic radiance.” - Ivy P. Virtue 💖
Happy reading, and remember, keep the sainthood aspirations genuine! 😉
