Eric Hoffer Vanity Quotations

The hardest thing to cope with is not selfishness or vanity or deceitfulness, but sheer stupidity.

Naivete in grownups is often charming; but when coupled with vanity it is indistinguishable from stupidity.

There is no doubt that in exchanging a self-centered for a selfless life we gain enormously in self-esteem. The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is boundless.

The real persuaders are our appetites, our fears and above all our vanity. The skillful propagandist stirs and coaches these internal persuaders.

We probably have a greater love for those we support than for those who support us. Our vanity carries more weight than our self-interest.

The burning conviction that we have a holy duty towards others is often a way of attaching our drowning selves to a passing raft. What looks like a giving hand is often a holding on for dear life. Take away our holy duties and you leave our lives puny and meaningless. There is no doubt that in exchanging a self-centered for a selfless life we gain enormously in self-esteem. The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is boundless.