"Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay"
- Francois de La Rochefoucauld
About this Quote
This quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld speaks to the concept of pride and vanity. Pride is the feeling of fulfillment and self-importance that originates from achieving something or having something of worth. Vanity is the extreme affection of oneself and one's physical appearance. The quote suggests that pride does not want to be in debt to anyone, as it would be an indication of weak point or inferiority. Similarly, vanity does not want to pay for anything, as it would be an indication of humbleness and absence of self-importance. This quote is a pointer that pride and vanity can be detrimental to our relationships with others, as they can result in a sense of supremacy and entitlement. It is necessary to remember that we are all equal and that nobody is above another. We should make every effort to be simple and generous, and to recognize the worth of others.
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