Who said “The only vice which cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is…”?

Verified

William Hazlitt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceCharacteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823)

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“The only vice which cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.”
VerifiedCharacteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823) · evidenceHypocrisy

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823).

APA

Hazlitt, W. (n.d.). The only vice which cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/23070-the-only-vice-which-cannot-be-forgiven-is/

MLA

Hazlitt, William. “The only vice which cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/23070-the-only-vice-which-cannot-be-forgiven-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Hazlitt, William. “The only vice which cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/23070-the-only-vice-which-cannot-be-forgiven-is/.