The common practice of keeping up appearances with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.

The common practice of keeping up appearances with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.

"Vanitas vanitatum" has rung in the ears
Of gentle and simple for thousands of years;
The wail read more

"Vanitas vanitatum" has rung in the ears
Of gentle and simple for thousands of years;
The wail still is heard, yet its notes never scare
Either simple or gentle from Vanity Fair.

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.

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.]

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is
as nothing before thee: verily every read more

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is
as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is
altogether vanity. Selah.

There are grades of vanity, there are only grades of ability in
concealing it.

There are 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.

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.,

Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory.

Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory.