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.

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.,

"Vanitas vanitatum" has rung in the ears
Of gentle and simple for thousands of years;
The wail read more

"Vanitas vanitatum" has rung in the ears
Of gentle and simple for thousands of years;
The wail still is heard, yet its notes never scare
Either simple or gentle from Vanity Fair.

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?"

We say little if not egged on by vanity.
[Fr., On parle peu quand la vanite ne fait pas read more

We say little if not egged on by vanity.
[Fr., On parle peu quand la vanite ne fait pas parler.]

There are no grades of vanity, there are only grades of ability in concealing it

There are no grades of vanity, there are only grades of ability in concealing it

I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.

I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.

And not a vanity is given in vain.

And not a vanity is given in vain.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a
lie: to be laid in read more

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a
lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than
vanity.