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.

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.

Vanity as an impulse has without doubt been of far more benefit to civilization than modesty has ever been.

Vanity as an impulse has without doubt been of far more benefit to civilization than modesty has ever been.

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.

And not a vanity is given in vain.

And not a vanity is given in vain.

Vanity is as ill at ease under indifference as tenderness is under a love which it cannot return.

Vanity is as ill at ease under indifference as tenderness is under a love which it cannot return.

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.

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.

How many saucy airs we meet,
From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!

How many saucy airs we meet,
From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!