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.

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.

If a person is to get the meaning of life he must learn to like the facts about himself -- read more

If a person is to get the meaning of life he must learn to like the facts about himself -- ugly as they may seem to his sentimental vanity -- before he can learn the truth behind the facts. And the truth is never ugly.

Cure yourself of the affliction of caring how you appear to others. Concern yourself only with how you appear before read more

Cure yourself of the affliction of caring how you appear to others. Concern yourself only with how you appear before God, Concern yourself only with the idea that God may have of you.

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.

Know that it is good to work. Work with love, and think of liking it when you do it. It read more

Know that it is good to work. Work with love, and think of liking it when you do it. It is easy and interesting. It is a privilege. There is nothing hard about it but your anxious vanity and fear of failure.

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.

I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.

I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.

Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursel's as ithers see us!
It wad read more

Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursel's as ithers see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
And foolish notion.