b : providing insecure footing or support
c :marked by hidden dangers, hazards, or perils
Treachery - 1 : violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason
2 : an act of perfidy or treason
Perfidious - 1 : the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal: treachery
2 : an act or an instance of disloyalty
It is an unfortunate truth that we live in an age of people that are ever looking to one up, or take the advantage of anyone so that they can get ahead or benefit in some form. In a word they are duplicitous, often saying one thing but meaning quite another, playing on confidences and usurping trusts of private disclosures, acting one part when they feel or think quite differently. More often than not, the most dangerous vipers are those that wear the guise of friends at least by colloquial, popular, or Facebook-like standards. Some people accept the pecking order strata and get comfortable with their roles, others try to play the game better than others, but few actually hold their heads up high and speak to the truth that it is a bad thing that has become the norm, and something that needs to stop. Today, people are master actors, easily confirmed by the way the masses dot over those that adorn the tabloids, television, and movie screens, imitating fashionable and trendy dress, demeanor, and dialog. Oftentimes the more outwardly religious, social, wealthy, or intelligent an individual, the more treacherously skilled they are. Honesty, purity of heart and word, sincerity, what I deem as real people, not plastic people, are truly more valuable and rare than gold. It is a hard thing to read between the "lines" amateur movie actors sometimes spew out in almost imperceptible contrivances. I have, however, found a common denominator. A behavioral mark that all that are dishonest reliably use. They beguile!!
Well, what does that mean you might ask.
Beguile:
1 : to lead by deception
2 : hoodwink
3 : to while away especially by some agreeable occupation; also : divert 2
4 : to engage the interest of by or as if by guileintransitive verb: to deceive by wiles
synonyms see trick
Ok, ok, you might say. I understand what the words mean but how does that help, you might ask.
The following phrases show beguiling in action:
Just kidding
Just joking
Can't you take a joke?
And all similarly duplicitous comments.
Another commonality is the acceptance and use of SARCASM!
Sarcasm
1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual
Sarcasms and double meaning comments sharpened to sting or in the common vernacular zing or zingers, are a clear sign of someone that practices the dark arts of beguiling. Beguiling is also shown by those that use half truths or those who try and get others to feel a particular emotion void of truth by hyper manifesting emotion in their communications mostly by physical body language. It seems to me that those that hail from the western regions of the US are particularly adept at this tactic, especially women. Many have mastered the art of communicating through the most effective medium, body language, intonation, and facial gestures, things that are either expected, elicit a certain response, or would benefit them by getting someone to feel a certain way. Either way it disenfranchises the person receiving the information from the true feelings and thoughts or disposition of the communicator.
Another clear example of a beguiler is someone that regularly and often uses the term sorry. In our time "I'm sorry" has become a common phrase void of true contrition, said so often it is almost as common as the, and, or but. It is said so often and expected to appease all so readily that if you don't accept an insincere apology people turn the tables on you and make the argument about your attitude instead of the original problem. I'm sorry means that one is sorrowful for one's actions. The words without the sorrow is a lie!!
Sorry
1 : feeling sorrow, regret, or penitence
2 : mournful, sad
3 : inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or ridicule :pitiful
The person that practices insincere sorries is a beguiler, they seek to overlook their faults and proper restitution, and get back into the good graces of whomever, and for whatever motives, it is beneficial to maintain the status quo.
On the opposite spectrum are the people that never say that they are sorry. Those that say one thing and deliver another and by force of character, prestige, prominence, wealth, status, or any other point expect others to overlook their shortcomings without making mention of the inconveniences they impose. These people exhibit classic narcissistic behaviors and narcissists make the greatest beguilers!!
Bottom line.
Beguilers are liars, and there are many ways to impress upon people to
believe things that are not entirely accurate. But then again the beguiler
doesn't care about relationships or equality, at least not so much as the
ends they seek to bring to pass.
Christ didn't miss the mark when he said
Mathew 7:17-20
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