The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-09-14
VANITY
Vanity is One of the Great Bars
to Social Progress
Mr.. L. ]. w.

Most people who vain sinned
against than SHINING. They have been deliberately
trained in vanity in many cases by the example of
their elders, by openly expressed admiration of
youthful charms, the repeating before them of the
smart things they may have said and done, and the
placing Of undue importance in the youths presence
on what other people may think and say of him.
Vanity is undue selfconsciousness. 1t may
express itself in pride of personal appearance, pos
session ability. person who vain of his
clothes or boastful of something he owns, is not
really as disagreeabe as one who has an exaggera-
ted idea of his own wisdom. When vanity express
es itself in egotism the situation is serious for the
egotstical individual is teachable and then the
case is hopeless.
Now reasonable amount of pride is necessary
to self respect and up to certain point it should be
encouraged. There are those who lack sufficient
elfrespect to keep themselves neat, clean and be-
comingly alfred Yet once too much thot is put
upon personal appearance, social position or the
amount of attention gained the creditabe charac
terstlc of self respect merees into the dsagreeable
trait of vanity.
1t is not necessary that people should be morti-
fed caused humiliation by conspcuousness of at
tire or of Sights of any kind. We should know
that if merit respect in all particulars it will be
readily granted by associates.
1t has been truly said that whatever we would
have in the must put in the en-
vironment of the child so it is necessary that we
learn the importance of courtesy and kindness and
encourage bodily graces by incorporating these vir
tues and characteristics in own lives. Even the
young child will learn that courtesy is con-
sido thors bafor
unselfshness.
Vanity which threatens to warp the character
of anyone should be sklfully turned into helpful
channels by being made means of real culture 1t
is not to be expected that children will be discrm
mating. They given mature parents in order to
profit by their experience and training.
1t is claimed that vanity is sign of poor taste
and lack of breeding. Vanity is found among all
peoples in all parts of the world, and is curse to
all those who unconsciously otherwise practice
this fault No more place is vanity more notice
able or more displeasng than at some entertainment
where the person is forever seeking the prominent
places and parts in games all during the entertain
ment and spelling the pleasure of Others But he
be gently but firmly taught that minor parts
may be of equal greater importance if performed
conscientiously.
person who is vain has false standards of
life which should be carefully corrected by sympa-
thetic training which emphasizes horoness sincerity
and reliability. Vanity which willingly wounds the
feelings of others, points out bemishes, or at
tacks the motives of others order build up per-
sonal pride, shows underlying lack of kindness
which needs special attention Usually the home is
blamed. claiming that the child hears unkind inter-
pretations of the of Others Charity of speech
and thoful service the best antidotes for this
type OF vanity. But after we have reached the age
of responsibility and continue to carry the burden
of vanity, such persons have little excuse to
offer, tho they may be overburdened
The burden of vanity is heavy load to carry
not only to him who has acquired the habit but also
to those whom he comes in contact with as we'll as
his associates There people who seem to be
vain by nature and forever wounding the feel
ings Of others; but environment and wise training
will do much overcome this habit and bring out
the sweet blossoms of their better natures and to
suppress the weeds of egotism
Vanity is found in all classes of people, not on