The rigid saint, by whom no mercy's shown to saints whose lives are better than his own

The rigid saint, by whom no mercy's shown to saints whose lives are better than his own

Charles Churchill was an 18th-century English poet known for his satirical and critical works. In his poem "The Candidate," Churchill criticizes the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of those who claim to be saints but show no mercy to others whose lives are actually better than their own. This theme of the rigid saint who lacks compassion for those around them is a recurring motif in Churchill's works.

Churchill's portrayal of the rigid saint is a scathing critique of the moralistic and judgmental attitudes prevalent in his society. The rigid saint is depicted as someone who prides themselves on their piety and righteousness, but who lacks the humility and empathy to truly embody the values they claim to uphold. Instead of showing compassion and understanding towards others, the rigid saint is quick to condemn and criticize, using their supposed moral superiority as a shield to protect themselves from scrutiny and self-reflection.