quotations about vanity
Vanity does not refer to the opinion a man entertains of himself, but to that which he wishes others to entertain of him.
WILLIAM HAZLITT
Characteristics
Vanity finds in self-love so powerful an ally, that it storms, as it were by a coup de main, the citadel of our heads, where, having blinded the two watchmen, it readily descends into the heart.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Lacon
Vanity is easily forgiven, for we are all vain, and even as we laugh at the weakness of others we feel that their vanity has touched the responding chord of our own.
ARTHUR LYNCH
Moods of Life
O vanity! you are the lever by means of which Archimedes wished to lift the earth!
MIKHAIL LERMONTOV
A Hero of Our Time
"Vanity" is a word that will, more often than not, be used to indicate arrogance and egotism. It's one of the Seven Deadly Sins. It's a characteristic to "watch out for" in a partner. But the dictionary also indicates that it is synonymous with "self love" -- something that's not always encouraged by society at large, but that is unquestionably important nonetheless.
MARIE SOUTHARD OSPINA
"If Vanity Is Loving Yourself, Then I'm More Than Happy To Be Vain", Bustle, February 3, 2016
Vanity prefers to assume that indifference is a latent form of unfriendliness.
EDITH WHARTON
The House of Mirth
Provided a man is not mad, he can be cured of every folly but vanity; there is no cure for this but experience, if indeed there is any cure for it at all.
JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU
Emile: Or, On Education
Big head is only good place for large headache.
CHARLIE CHAN
Charlie Chan Carries On
He has not observed on the nature of vanity who does not know that it is omnivorous--that it has no choice in its food--that it is fond to talk even of its own faults and vices, as what will excite surprise and draw attention, and what will pass at worst for openness and candor.
EDMUND BURKE
The Works of the Right Hon. Edmund Burke
Meek Nature's evening comment on the shows
That for oblivion take their daily birth
From all the fuming vanities of earth.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
Sky-Prospect: from the Plain of France
You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?
CARLY SIMON
"You're So Vain"
And not a vanity is given in vain.
ALEXANDER POPE
An Essay on Man
Vanity is the weakest and most vulnerable point of human nature, and well does Satan know it, and most deeply should we deplore it; it was the wicked gate of Eden, through which the arch enemy entered, and took mother Eve's citadel of innocence; he tried the same plan with our Savior, but was foiled in his base attempt to snatch the last ray of hope from our race.
L. C. JUDSON
attributed, Day's Collacon
It's important to confront the perennial temptation of vanity. For the believer, vanity is more invidious than mere pride, because it can mean doing the right thing for the mere reason that other people will honor and revere us.
JEFFREY F. KIRBY
"In Lent, beware of vanity that always tries to canonize itself", CRUX, March 19, 2017
Pride and Vanity have built more Hospitals than all the Virtues together.
BERNARD MANDEVILLE
The Fable of the Bees
The expression of vanity and self-love becomes less offensive, when it retains something of simplicity and frankness.
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT
Equinoctial Regions of America
Many a man could easily support a wife if he didn't also have to feed her vanity.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
Vanity is the most despotic and iniquitous of masters, and I can never be the slave of my own vices.
GEORGE SAND
Teverino
Vanity is osteoporosis of the soul.
POPE FRANCIS
Vatican Radio, September 22, 2016
Everyone at the bottom of his heart cherishes vanity; even the toad thinks himself good-looking; "rather tawny perhaps, but look at his eye!"
J. WILSON
attributed, Day's Collacon