“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously A person may be proud without being vain Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us”

Simplified Meaning:

Imagine someone who is proud of their hard work and achievements. This type of pride is about feeling good because of what they've done and acknowledging their own efforts. It doesn't necessarily involve other people. Now, picture someone who always wants others to admire and praise them for their looks, clothes, or possessions. This is vanity. It's concerned with how others see them and crave for external validation. For example, a student might feel proud because they studied hard and got a top grade on an exam. They know they did well and feel satisfaction from their effort and accomplishment. On the other hand, if that same student constantly seeks praise from classmates about their intelligence or how well they did without mentioning their hard work, that's vanity. Pride can be a positive feeling that motivates us to do better and achieve more based on our own standards. Vanity, however, tends to focus on seeking approval from others and can lead to insecurity if that approval isn’t received. To apply this idea, strive to cultivate pride in your own efforts and achievements without relying on others’ opinions for happiness. Focus on what makes you genuinely satisfied with yourself rather than what's likely to impress others.