You May Also Like / View all maxioms
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is your sex's earliest, latest care,
Your heart's supreme ambition? To be fair.
What is your sex's earliest, latest care,
Your heart's supreme ambition? To be fair.
Our vanity is hardest to wound precisely when our pride has just been wounded.rn
Our vanity is hardest to wound precisely when our pride has just been wounded.rn
Sooth'd with the sound, the king grew vain:
Fought all his battles o'er again;
And thrice he read more
Sooth'd with the sound, the king grew vain:
Fought all his battles o'er again;
And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the slain.
Maud Muller looked and sighed: :Ah me!
That I the Judge's bride might be!
He would dress read more
Maud Muller looked and sighed: :Ah me!
That I the Judge's bride might be!
He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at his wine."