The common practice of keeping up appearances with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.

The common practice of keeping up appearances with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.

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

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

Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory.

Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory.

Vain? Let it be so! Nature was her teacher,
What if a lovely and unsistered creature
Loved read more

Vain? Let it be so! Nature was her teacher,
What if a lovely and unsistered creature
Loved her own harmless gift of pleasing feature.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.,

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and,
behold, all is vanity and vexation read more

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and,
behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

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.

Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.

Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.

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.

I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round.

I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round.