If vanity does not overthrow all our virtues, at least she makes them totter.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Ostentation is the signal flag of hypocrisy.—The charlatan is verbose and assumptive; the Pharisee is ostentatious, because he is a hypocrite.—Pride is the master sin of the devil, and the devil is the father of lies.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
By common consent gray hairs are a crown of glory; the only object of respect that can never excite envy.
—George Bancroft (1800–91) American Historian, Politician
Without this ridiculous vanity that takes the form of self-display, and is part of everything and everyone, we would see nothing, and nothing would exist.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Self-love is a balloon filled with wind, from which storms burst forth when one makes a puncture in it.
—Unknown
Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter, wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others who are within his sphere of action: and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
See the man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The highest form of vanity is love of fame.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
Every occasion will catch the senses of the vain man, and with that bridle and saddle you may ride him.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
People who do not know how to laugh are always pompous and self-conceited.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
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.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
Extinguish vanity in the mind, and you naturally retrench the little superfluities of garniture and equipage. The blossoms will fall of themselves when the root that nourishes them is destroyed.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
Vanity is the quicksand of reason.
—George Sand (1804–76) French Novelist, Dramatist
Vanity is the poison of agreeableness; yet as poison, when properly applied, has a salutary effect in medicine, so has vanity in the commerce and society of the world.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing vital in the eggs they have laid.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
As regards this vice, we read that the peacock is more guilty of it than any other animal. For it is always contemplating the beauty of its tail, which it spreads in the form of a wheel, and by its cries attracts to itself the gaze of the creatures that surround it. And this is the last vice to be conquered.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Conceit in weakest bodies works the strongest.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Virtue would not go far if vanity did not keep it company.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
It is vanity which makes the rake at twenty, the worldly man at forty, and the retired man at sixty. We are apt to think that best in general for which we find ourselves best fitted in particular.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Vanity is a strong temptation to lying; it makes people magnify their merit, over-flourish their family, and tell strange stories of their interest and acquaintance.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
Ladies of Fashion starve their happiness to feed their vanity, and their love to feed their pride.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
All is vanity, look you; and so the preacher is vanity too.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Vanity makes us do more things against inclination than reason.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
What vanity needs for its satisfaction is glory, and it’s easy to have glory without power.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Solvency is maintained by means of a national debt, on the principle, “If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Never expect justice from a vain man; if he has the negative magnanimity not to disparage you, it is the most you can expect.
—Washington Allston (1779–1843) American Landscape Painter
Nothing so soothes our vanity as a display of greater vanity in others; it makes us vain, in fact, of our modesty.
—Louis Kronenberger (1904–80) American Drama, Literary Critic
The knowledge of yourself will preserve you from vanity.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
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