a paragon of virtue

a paragon of virtue

One who has perfect, unimpeachable moral or ethical values; one who has no faults or imperfections. Often used ironically or sarcastically. He's up there criticizing people for going against the ethos of the church, but he's hardly a paragon of virtue himself. You don't have to be a paragon of virtue, I just expect you to treat others with the kindness and respect you would want for yourself.
See also: of, virtue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a paragon of ˈvirtue

a person who is without faults; a completely perfect person: We don’t expect all election candidates to be paragons of virtue.
See also: of, virtue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • cooking for one
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
References in periodicals archive
As for those like Corbyn (whom I voted for) who would bar him from our country, I suggest they read Anthony Summers's book, The Secret Life Of J Edgar Hoover, especially the 1960s/70s era and they will see that Mr Trump is a paragon of virtue compared to several of those Presidents.
Trump openness is a real virtue; LETTERS
Cecil Rhodes was a paragon of virtue compared to them.
Rhodes' work is worth recognition
I find you not to a paragon of virtue or a woman of good taste.
Tired of Williamson's hypocrisy
I have never said I am a paragon of virtue, a model of morality.
COOGAN: I AM NO PARAGON OF VIRTUE; Star blasts tabloid stings
Compared to some of the blokes she's gone for, Jason is a paragon of virtue. At least he won't drive the wedding car into the canal.
WHAT A CORRIE ON FUNNY; bushell on the box
And while Nigeria can hardly be considered a paragon of virtue regarding honest business practice, it is undeniable progress has been made since the blatant asset stripping and negligence of its 1990s dictatorships.
FATF gives Nigeria all clear on money laundering standards
In fact my RR has been a paragon of virtue. If you've ever been in doubt about buying a Range Rover, don't be.
Rear View Mirror: Range Rovers
After all, none of us is a paragon of virtue. Rather it is knowing and admitting that we've 'been there, done that', and still survived, that can be a source of encouragement to others.
Rhubarb! Rhubarb!
# I WELL remember Dai Inker, the cat man, a paragon of virtue if ever there was one.
Letter: Sweet & sour
The woman was a model Christian and citizen--devout, law-abiding, and hard-working, a paragon of virtue. But it wasn't enough.
Juneteenth Texas: Essays in African-American Folklore
FRENCH hard man Jean-Jacques Crenca promised referee Jonathan Kaplan he will be a paragon of virtue during tomorrow's World Cup quarter-final showdown with Ireland.
RUGBY UNION WORLD CUP 2003: CRENCA: I'MA CHANGED MAN
He is presented as a paragon of virtue; his earthy love of life has been air-brushed away.
The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr., vol. 1, Called to Serve
Sebastian can have any girl at school, except Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), a paragon of virtue.
FILMS OF THE DAY
THE wild partying days seem but a blur for Lindsay Lohan, as she becomes a paragon of virtue. Dressed in crisp, white clothing and posing in the lotus position, the new yoga-loving Lindsay is now a peaceful, thoughtful and clean-living girl.
the Razz: Well Lohan behold.. it's Lindsay
Are we really confident then that English football, the league that attracts more worldwide betting than any other, is a paragon of virtue?
DEREK McGOVERN AT LARGE: Football'son Fin ice