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.]

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?"

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

No man thinks there is much ado about nothing when the ado is about himself.

No man thinks there is much ado about nothing when the ado is about himself.

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.

Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of read more

Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of their own vaunts.

It beareth the name of Vanity Fair, because the town where it is
kept is "lighter than vanity."

It beareth the name of Vanity Fair, because the town where it is
kept is "lighter than vanity."

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

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.