People Who Are Morally Sensitive & Self-Righteous Usually Say 8 Phrases In Casual Conversation
stockfour | shutterstock Most people have strong opinions, especially about things like the environment, politics, and other important issues which strike a nerve. While some can have the conversation calmly, coolly, and collectedly, others struggle to keep their self-righteous thoughts from coming out.
Many people view their strong values as a positive attribute, an internal compass that keeps them honest and kind to others. But some people have a real "I’m better than you" attitude that shuts others down and pushes them away. Worse, these strident self-righteous phrases rarely change anyone's mind.
People who are sensitive and self-righteous often say these 8 phrases during conversations:
1. 'I would never do that'
It's common for people to view themselves as better than others from time-to-time, but mornally self-righteous people tend to view themselves as innately superior to others. This type of person only sees their strengths and believes their opinions are better than everyone around them.
This often comes out in conversations, especially over sensitive subjects. If someone approaches them with a conflicting ideology, they might lash out and try to prove their morals are better.
When looking at others, they're often caught saying, "I would never!" without compassion or any real self-awareness. This statement gives them a chance to prove they have morals and the other person doesn’t. In reality, it's rarely that black and white.
2. ‘I don't know how you sleep at night’
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I’ve heard this phrase thrown around in several conversations. Holier-than-thou individuals think that if someone disagrees with them, they completely lack conviction. How could they possibly sleep at night knowing they are morally bankrupt? That is how some self-righteous people view those who think differently.
People may use another version of this saying, "Whatever helps you sleep at night" as a way to make it seem like they're neutral, but they're actually being extremely judgy. In truth, the self-righteous person thinks the other person is lying to themselves about certain issues to sleep peacefully at night instead of taking action.
3. ‘I’m just being honest’
We’ve all been taught that honesty is the best policy, but some people use their claim of honesty as an excuse to be unkind. If someone feels they are being upfront with someone about how their lack of morals appalls them, they might think they are handling the conversation well. In reality, this can cause others to back off. They won’t feel like they are having a productive conversation, but rather, one that is awkward and contentious.
Brutally honest people, especially those who view themselves as morally correct, aren’t afraid to say what they think no matter how it makes another person feel. They may not realize that the harshness of their words hurts others. Instead, they often think they have taught that person a lesson in having real morals.
4. ‘I guess I’m the only one who cares’
I’ve felt like this before. It seemed like I was the only one who cared about an issue that was important to me. In reality, I knew that wasn’t true, but the inaction of those around me made me think I was the only morally sound person around. Social issues can be tricky to navigate.
Some people don’t feel comfortable making a stand, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. That was a lesson I was humbly taught.
Sometimes, people don’t speak up because they fear rejection from others. If a person comes at them with self-righteous views, it can cause them to sink further into themselves, afraid to stand up even if they are on the same side. It can feel like a competition of who can do the most for a cause, and poking at someone who has done ‘less’ than you only hurts your cause.
5. ‘That says a lot about you’
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This can be said in an incredibly kind, authentic way, but probably not by people who are self-righteous by nature.
Some people who claim to have the moral high ground may be lying or exaggerating their education on a topic. They want you to think they know more than you do, and they may not care if they are delivering facts or statistics. They’ll make comments like this to make you second-guess yourself, when in reality they may be the ones who need to take a deeper look at themselves because of the lengths they go to to prove they're better than everyone around them.
A study from the University of Michigan found that people who were loud about their beliefs, even though the so-called facts they shared were questionable, still saw themselves as better than others. Belief-superiority makes someone strongly opinionated and judgmental, even if they don’t know much about the subject.
6. ‘I’m just trying to educate you’
Those who believe they are morally superior to everyone else around them often think they have something to prove, and they will often try to do this by being patronizing toward others.
Clearly, if someone doesn’t agree with them, they think they need to ‘educate’ them to point them in the right direction. However, this self-righteous way of converting people to their side often backfires, as people rarely want to be told what to do.
There is a good chance that someone who says this has strong knowledge and good intentions. However, the intensity of their words may push others away. People become frustrated when they are told what to do. We all have an ego, and if we’re challenged on our beliefs. We may do whatever it takes to protect it. Complying or changing an opinion can feel like a loss of independence.
7. ‘It’s common sense, really’
If someone questions their morals, they may be quick to say they are the truth, without realizing that others perceive things differently. Often, this makes them defensive and argumentative, which only pushes the issue further.
They use the phrase common sense to show they know better than everyone else. However, everyone has an opinion, and being self-righteous doesn’t help others understand where they are coming from. Their version of common sense isn’t universal.
8. ‘I have higher values than that’
It’s common for people to believe their personal values are better than everyone else’s. A study found that people viewed their values as beneficial for themselves rather than others. This means they essentially want what’s best for themselves, not caring if other people are hurt in the process.
Many issues in the world right now are tainted by this ideology. Instead of thinking of the common good, people are putting their own beliefs above all else.
The study also found that people favor their values when they align with what is considered normal in society. This can lead to harsh judgments being passed on anyone who doesn’t share the same opinions as the general public. Values become a competition with self-righteous people, pitting their values against others instead of embracing differences.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
