Doormat Quote by Louis-Ferdinand Celine
“There's no such thing as intelligent vanity. It's an instinct. And you'll never find a man who is not first and foremost vain.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Journey to the End of the Night, 1932
Vanity is an innate human instinct, making true humility rare.
In simple terms: Vanity is natural, humility rare.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility despite instinctual vanity.
Themes
vanity
human nature
humility
psychology
existentialism
Mood
cynical
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- leadership
- creative work
Key Concepts
Freudian drives
self-awareness
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does vanity affect your decisions?
- Can humility be taught?
A Different Perspective
Vanity can blind self‑assessment.
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