Pharisaism

Pharisaism refers to the attitude or behavior of insincere or overly rigid adherence to rules and rituals, often focused on outward appearances rather than genuine morals or compassion. Historically, it describes the religious leaders called Pharisees in ancient Judaism who emphasized strict observance of laws, sometimes neglecting the underlying spirit of compassion and humility. In modern usage, it warns against legalism and superficial religiosity—being more concerned with appearing righteous than genuinely embodying ethical principles. Essentially, it’s about valuing external correctness over internal sincerity and genuine virtue.