Vanity
Excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness.
Vanity is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness. Prior to the 14th century, it did not have such narcissistic undertones, and merely meant futility. The related term vainglory originally meant considering one's own capabilities and that God's help was not needed, i.e., unjustified boasting.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Art
- Known for
- One of the seven deadly sins in Christian teachings; a subject of artistic symbolism
Facts from the source article.
Background
In many religions, vanity in its modern sense is considered a form of self-idolatry in which one likens oneself to the greatness of God for the sake of one's own image, and thereby becomes separated from Divine grace. In Christian teachings, vanity is an example of pride, one of the seven deadly sins. Philosophically, vanity may be a broader form of egotism and pride. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote that 'vanity is the fear of appearing original: it is thus a lack of pride, but not necessarily a lack of originality.' One of Mason Cooley's aphorisms is 'Vanity well fed is benevolent. Vanity hungry is spiteful.'
More in Sinners & Saints
Elsewhere in Seven Deadly Sins
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