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.

Magnanimous people have no vanity, they have no jealousy, and they feed on the true and the solid wherever they read more

Magnanimous people have no vanity, they have no jealousy, and they feed on the true and the solid wherever they find it. And, what is more, they find it everywhere.

Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, read more

Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this.

To act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some read more

To act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive.

Rome took all the vanity out of me; for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live, read more

Rome took all the vanity out of me; for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live, and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair.

Never "just run out for a few minutes" without looking your best. This is not vanity -- it's self-liking. Your read more

Never "just run out for a few minutes" without looking your best. This is not vanity -- it's self-liking. Your face is always on display.

Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity
(So it be new, there's no respect how vile)
read more

Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity
(So it be new, there's no respect how vile)
That is not quickly buzzed into his ears?

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.

My father said, "Politics asks the question: Is it expedient? Vanity asks: Is it popular? But conscience asks: Is it read more

My father said, "Politics asks the question: Is it expedient? Vanity asks: Is it popular? But conscience asks: Is it right?"