I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and,
behold, all is vanity and vexation read more

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and,
behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of read more

Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.

Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
Puffs, powders, patches, bibles, billet-doux.

Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
Puffs, powders, patches, bibles, billet-doux.

Methinks I am a prophet new inspired
And thus, expiring, do foretell of him:
His rash fierce read more

Methinks I am a prophet new inspired
And thus, expiring, do foretell of him:
His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last,
For violent fires soon burn out themselves;
Small show'rs last long, but sudden storms are short;
He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes;
With eager feeding doth choke the feeder;
Light vanity, insatiate cormorant,
Consuming means, soon preys upon itself.

Our vanity is hardest to wound precisely when our pride has just been wounded.rn

Our vanity is hardest to wound precisely when our pride has just been wounded.rn

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being read more

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory.

Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory.

There are no grades of vanity, there are only grades of ability in concealing it

There are no grades of vanity, there are only grades of ability in concealing it

Self-love seems so often unrequited.

Self-love seems so often unrequited.