It is difficult to esteem a man as highly as he would wish.
[Fr., Il est difficile d'estimer quelqu'un read more

It is difficult to esteem a man as highly as he would wish.
[Fr., Il est difficile d'estimer quelqu'un comme il veut l'etre.]

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.

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.

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.

And not a vanity is given in vain.

And not a vanity is given in vain.

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?

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.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a
lie: to be laid in read more

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a
lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than
vanity.

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.