--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-conceit is a sentiment entirely…" description: "\"“Self-conceit is a sentiment entirely incompatible with genuine sorrow, and it is so firmly engrafted on human nature that even the most profound sorro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/leo-tolstoy-55_conceit_self-conceit-is-a-sentiment-entirely-inc_1049283.png" --- # Self-conceit is a sentiment entirely incompatible with… ![“Self-conceit is a sentiment entirely incompatible with genuine sorrow, and it is so firmly engrafted on human nature that even the most profound sorrow can seldom expel it altogether. Vanity in sorrow expresses itself by a desire to appear either stricken with grief or unhappy or brave: and this…” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/leo-tolstoy-55_conceit_self-conceit-is-a-sentiment-entirely-inc_1049283.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/leo-tolstoy-55_conceit_self-conceit-is-a-sentiment-entirely-inc_1049283.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/leo-tolstoy-55_conceit_self-conceit-is-a-sentiment-entirely-inc_1049283.png) > ““Self-conceit is a sentiment entirely incompatible with genuine sorrow, and it is so firmly engrafted on human nature that even the most profound sorrow can seldom expel it altogether. Vanity in sorrow expresses itself by a desire to appear either stricken with grief or unhappy or brave: and this ignoble desire which we do not acknowledge but which hardly ever leaves us even in the deepest trouble robs our grief of its strength, dignity and sincerity.”” [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Vanity corrupts true sorrow, turning grief into a performance that weakens its depth and honesty. **In simple terms:** Vanity spoils genuine grief. Key Takeaway Seek sincere sorrow without ego. Themes grief vanity authenticity human nature ego Mood somber introspective serious Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - bereavement - personal loss - public mourning - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology philosophy emotional honesty Questions to Reflect On - Can you mourn without seeking admiration? - What does authentic sorrow look like? A Different Perspective Sincere grief may still be painful and socially uncomfortable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceit/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/) ## Related quotes > [And could I look upon her without compassion, seeing her punishment in the ruin she was, in her profound unfitness for this earth on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/and-could-i-look-upon-her-without-compassion-seeing-her-punishment-in/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [To be infatuated with the power of one's own intellect is an accident which seldom happens but to those who are remarkable for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/to-be-infatuated-with-the-power-of-one-s-own-intellect-is-an-accident/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Self-contemplation is apt to end in self-conceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/self-contemplation-is-apt-to-end-in-self-conceit/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Self-conceit is a weighty quality, and will sometimes bring down the scale when there is nothing else in it. It magnifies a fault beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-collier/self-conceit-is-a-weighty-quality-and-will-sometimes-bring-down-the/) [Jeremy Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-collier/) > [Self-conceit is the enemy of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bion-of-borysthenes/self-conceit-is-the-enemy-of-progress/) [Bion of Borysthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bion-of-borysthenes/) > [But the conceit of one's self and the conceit of one's hobby are hardly more prolific of eccentricity than the conceit of one's money.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/but-the-conceit-of-one-s-self-and-the-conceit-of-one-s-hobby-are/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alternation of old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-path-of-least-resistance-and-least-trouble-is-a-mental-rut-2/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The first sin in our universe was Lucifer's self conceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/the-first-sin-in-our-universe-was-lucifer-s-self-conceit/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Self-conceit may lead to self destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/self-conceit-may-lead-to-self-destruction/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [I cannot avoid condemning all those who, from self-conceit have the pretension to imitate great artists of the past. If their powers of emotion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-georges-noverre/i-cannot-avoid-condemning-all-those-who-from-self-conceit-have-the/) [Jean-Georges Noverre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-georges-noverre/) > [What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-is-the-first-business-of-one-who-practices-philosophy-to-get-rid/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Genuine is the sorrow endured without anyone else knowing about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martial/genuine-is-the-sorrow-endured-without-anyone-else-knowing-about-it/) [Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martial/) > [Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/illusory-joy-is-often-worth-more-than-genuine-sorrow/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/we-can-bear-to-be-deprived-of-everything-but-our-self-conceit/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [“...what man is capable of the insane self-conceit of believing that an eternity of himself would be tolerable even to himself? Those who try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/what-man-is-capable-of-the-insane-self-conceit-of-believing-that-an/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) ## More by Leo Tolstoy > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-already-love-in-you-your-beauty-but-i-am-only-beginning-to-love-in/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Energy rests upon love; and come as it will, there's no forcing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/energy-rests-upon-love-and-come-as-it-will-there-s-no-forcing-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“If you only knew what those society women are, and women in general! My father is right. Selfish, vain, stupid, trivial in everything—that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/if-you-only-knew-what-those-society-women-are-and-women-in-general-my/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To speak of it would be giving importance to that which has none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-speak-of-it-would-be-giving-importance-to-that-which-has-none/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Once we're thrown off our habitual paths, we think all is lost, but it's only here that the new and the good begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/once-we-re-thrown-off-our-habitual-paths-we-think-all-is-lost-but-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“He knew she was there by the rapture and the terror that seized on his heart. She was standing talking to a lady at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-knew-she-was-there-by-the-rapture-and-the-terror-that-seized-on/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Rest, nature, books, music...such is my idea of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/rest-nature-books-music-such-is-my-idea-of-happiness/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“He was not to blame for being born with an irrepressible charachter and a mind some how constrained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-was-not-to-blame-for-being-born-with-an-irrepressible-charachter/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [I ask one thing only: I ask for the right to hope, to suffer as I do. But if even that cannot be, command…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-ask-one-thing-only-i-ask-for-the-right-to-hope-to-suffer-as-i-do/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The idea shared by many that life is a vale of tears is just as false as the idea shared by the great majority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-idea-shared-by-many-that-life-is-a-vale-of-tears-is-just-as-false/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the majority of men, is the same as saying of some kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-say-that-a-work-of-art-is-good-but-incomprehensible-to-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [True life is lived when tiny changes occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/true-life-is-lived-when-tiny-changes-occur/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) [Explore all 1,754 Leo Tolstoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More Conceit quotes > [“A session of boasting won't attract any real friends.  It will set you up on a pedestal, however, making you a clearer target.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/a-session-of-boasting-won-t-attract-any-real-friends-it-will-set-you/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Conceit is a sure sign of insecurity; humility denotes awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivaya-subramuniyaswami/conceit-is-a-sure-sign-of-insecurity-humility-denotes-awareness/) [Sivaya Subramuniyaswami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivaya-subramuniyaswami/) > [Conceit is a weird disease - it makes everybody sick except the guy who has it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/conceit-is-a-weird-disease-it-makes-everybody-sick-except-the-guy-who/) [James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/) > [Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/be-very-slow-to-believe-that-you-are-wiser-than-all-others-it-is-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [History repeats the old conceits, the glib replies, the same defeats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/history-repeats-the-old-conceits-the-glib-replies-the-same-defeats/) [Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/) > [Being carefree, you can fit in anywhere. If you’re not carefree you keep on bumping up against things. Your life becomes so narrow, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsoknyi-rinpoche/being-carefree-you-can-fit-in-anywhere-if-you-re-not-carefree-you/) [Tsoknyi Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsoknyi-rinpoche/) > [This man, who for twenty-five years has been reading and writing about art, and in all that time has never understood anything about art,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/this-man-who-for-twenty-five-years-has-been-reading-and-writing-about/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [There is nothing like a good bit of pain for taking the conceit out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-welsh-carlyle/there-is-nothing-like-a-good-bit-of-pain-for-taking-the-conceit-out/) [Jane Welsh Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-welsh-carlyle/) > [If you want to conquer conceit, do not desire praise, laurels, nice garments, respect, favor, but like to be blamed and slandered by people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-aleksandrovich-antonov/if-you-want-to-conquer-conceit-do-not-desire-praise-laurels-nice/) [Vladimir Aleksandrovich Antonov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-aleksandrovich-antonov/) > [The smaller the mind, the greater the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-smaller-the-mind-the-greater-the-ego/) [Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/) > [If a man thinks he is not conceited, he is very conceited indeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-a-man-thinks-he-is-not-conceited-he-is-very-conceited-indeed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is simple ignorance, which is the source of lighter offenses, and double ignorance, which is accompanied by a conceit of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/there-is-simple-ignorance-which-is-the-source-of-lighter-offenses-and/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Jesus regularly visualized the success of his efforts ... 'I always do what pleases God.' ... Was this conceit? Or was it enlightened creativity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-beth-jones/jesus-regularly-visualized-the-success-of-his-efforts-i-always-do/) [Laurie Beth Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-beth-jones/) > [“Took long enough,” she called out, not wanting to admit how the sight of him made her throat hitch, how the man was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mcintyre/took-long-enough-she-called-out-not-wanting-to-admit-how-the-sight-of/) [Katherine McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mcintyre/) [Browse all 360 Conceit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Self-conceit is a sentiment entirely incompatible with genuine sorrow, and it is so firmly engrafted on human nature that even the most profound sorrow can seldom expel it altogether. 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