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

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.

We say little if not egged on by vanity.
[Fr., On parle peu quand la vanite ne fait pas read more

We say little if not egged on by vanity.
[Fr., On parle peu quand la vanite ne fait pas parler.]

Vain? Let it be so! Nature was her teacher,
What if a lovely and unsistered creature
Loved read more

Vain? Let it be so! Nature was her teacher,
What if a lovely and unsistered creature
Loved her own harmless gift of pleasing feature.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.,

Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of read more

Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of their own vaunts.

How many saucy airs we meet,
From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!

How many saucy airs we meet,
From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!

That which makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that
which wounds our own.
[Fr., Ce read more

That which makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that
which wounds our own.
[Fr., Ce qui nous rend la vanite des autres insupportable, c'est
qu'elle blesse la notre.]

It must require an inordinate share of vanity and presumption, too, after enjoying so much that is good and beautiful read more

It must require an inordinate share of vanity and presumption, too, after enjoying so much that is good and beautiful on earth, to ask the Lord for immortality in addition to all.

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.