"虚荣和骄傲是不同的东西,尽管这两个词经常被同义使用。一个人可以骄傲而不虚荣。骄傲更多地与我们对自己的看法有关,虚荣则是我们希望别人对我们的看法。"
— Jane Austen
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.