Conservatives are often fond of La Rochefoucauld's famous aphorism that 'Hypocrisy is a tribute that vice pays to virtue,' and so tend to downplay hypocrisy as a sin. But in the marketplace of ideas they champion, hypocrisy may yet turn out to be the deadliest - or costliest - of sins.

The quote by Bari Weiss examines the complex role of hypocrisy in political and intellectual discourse, especially among conservatives. Weiss references the famous aphorism by La Rochefoucauld: "Hypocrisy is a tribute that vice pays to virtue." This saying suggests that hypocrisy, while morally flawed, acknowledges the value of virtue by pretending to uphold it. Conservatives often use this idea to downplay hypocrisy as a serious sin, implying it is somewhat inevitable or less damaging.

However, Weiss challenges this perspective by arguing that in the "marketplace of ideas," where beliefs and values compete, hypocrisy might be the "deadliest" or "costliest" of sins. This means that hypocrisy can undermine trust and credibility, ultimately damaging the integrity of the ideas or causes it is associated with. When leaders or movements are seen as hypocritical, their influence can be severely weakened.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Weiss’s commentary on political culture and the challenges of maintaining authenticity and moral consistency. She uses La Rochefoucauld’s aphorism as a starting point to explore how hypocrisy is often rationalized but can have significant negative consequences in public discourse.

Overall, the quote highlights the tension between recognizing hypocrisy as a common human failing and understanding its potential to erode faith in ideas and institutions. It serves as a caution that while hypocrisy might be overlooked or excused, it can ultimately be more damaging than many realize.