The Washington herald., 1915-08-08


afflicted with it. l have it myself. Whenever /
publish article in a magazine whenever
make speech an receive praise swell UP like a
peacock"
The old clergyman listened sympathetcally
must feel l am continually getting up in the pull
pit and preaching against vanity, and yet I am
vain myself l am always calling myself hypo-
critic"
When heard this story began to wonder if
there weren't such thing as being too solcitous
about ones deccits.
After all, vanity is almost universal weak
ness. 1t goes down to the depths of human
nature. Why should rcformers and clergymen
expect themselves to be more than human,
Most OF know at least two three persons
who arc apparently free from vanity.
In some ways we admire them for their SUI
periorty in this particular
In other ways, we may find that the lack of
vanity is far from admirable. So often it makes
people careless about their personal appearance,
Slipshod. Sometimes these people are not quite
clean.
Lack of vanity may reveal itself in indif
ference to laudablc ambition and to many of the
incentives to action regard praiseworthy
On the other hand, there many expressions
of vanity which we all dislike. That is, we dislike
them in others.
Vanity is Enthusiastically expressed in self-con-
seriousness and in a kind OF indulgence of self
consciousness. 1t asserts and exploits self 1t
gives to self a false value Among both men and
women it leads to ridiculous extravagances.
AS a rule women are more quick to bctray
vanity than men. For this they are &C
cuscd OF being vain Perhaps it would be
impossible to measure the exact relation between
the sexes in this regard.
Among women vanity naturally tends'to betray
itself through their desire to be charming in their
dress, in their ornamentation, in their efforts
make the face and the figure more beautiful than
nature has made it. !
Expressions of modcsty often taken for
vanity. For example, one often sees exceedingly
pretty women who are not satisfied with their
natural charms. They think that these charms
ought to be aided by art. Consequently they dis
figure themselves.
Is it not true that many of the women who use
makeup most rccklessly those who really
need makeup at all
Among men the display OF vanity is usually
more or less subtle. They are aware that vanity,
allowed to women indulgence. is considered
an odious quality among men. So, in most cases,
they strive to hide it. The vainest man I have
ever known is exceedingly careless about his per-
sonal appearance and has a manner that suggests
supreme Inconsistencies. 1t is only when one
comes to know him we'll that his adroit self-as-
b,bi Of al
his good qualities appear to the best advantage
and of making wholly imaginary qualities appear
like real qualities.
Have you ever considered how it would feel to
be totally free from vanity?
= There would be great relief from the burden of
self. But would there not also be loss? Vanity
is so closely into natures it is strong
an incentive that without it would to
be deprived of part of ones life.
In spite OF all OF the trials vanity brings in its
train, should miss the secret delight in compli-
ments, the consciousness of little successes, the
joy OF self-importancc.
1t would be hard to feel that to go on
from day to day without any of the perquisites OF
vanity.
And yet, if we were free from vanity, perhaps
the whole world would take aspect.
The scales might drop from our eyes, and re-
veal multitude of unsupported beauties. In the
merits and the success OF others might find
endless OF delight.
We don't really know. That is, most of us
don't know. And most OF would be puzzled if
we were to try TO find way to rid ourselves of
vanity. We shouldn't know how to begin.
Perhaps start might be made by deter
mining never to ccnsure others for vanity. Even
now we can see how absurd such censure is. For
when we speak of vanity as a thing apart from
ourselves and criticisc it we are taking foolish
attitude.
Haven't you seen people make themselves ride
uious by ridicung the vanity of others? You and
/, looking on, know that in most these crit
les just ridiculous the criticised perhaps
more ridiculous, through their very ridicule.
From ceasing to blame others for being vain
we might take step toward the realization Of
the common heritage of weakness in the human
race. And in the acceptance of such weakness as
part Of ourselves might find that we had made
a long stride away from vanity.
After ALL vanity is scarcely to be eliminated
by our thinking of it quality apart as thing
to be warrcd on, in natures