---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better that great peoples should…"
description: "\"It is better that great peoples should seek out glory, or even vanity, in their deeds, than that they should remain indifferent . For even if they are ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-d_action_it-is-better-that-great-peoples-should-s_915921.jpg"
---

#  It is better that great peoples should seek out glory, or…

![“It is better that great peoples should seek out glory, or even vanity, in their deeds, than that they should remain indifferent . For even if they are not incited to act upon virtuous principles, at least there is the saving grace that they will do things they might not have done had not vanity…” quote by Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-d_action_it-is-better-that-great-peoples-should-s_915921.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-d_action_it-is-better-that-great-peoples-should-s_915921.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-d_action_it-is-better-that-great-peoples-should-s_915921.jpg)

> “It is better that great peoples should seek out glory, or even vanity, in their deeds, than that they should remain indifferent . For even if they are not incited to act upon virtuous principles, at least there is the saving grace that they will do things they might not have done had not vanity prompted their actions.”

[Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-de-sable/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Vanity can motivate deeds that virtue alone may not inspire, providing a saving grace.

**In simple terms:** Vanity drives action when virtue is absent.

Key Takeaway

Channel vanity into positive outcomes.

Themes

motivation human nature ethics vanity

Mood

thoughtful philosophical

Type

ethical psychological

When to use this quote

- personal development
- leadership coaching
- creative pursuits
- social activism
- ethical decision‑making

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy behavioral drive moral theory

Questions to Reflect On

- Can vanity be ethically redirected?
- What are the risks of relying on vanity?

A Different Perspective

Vanity may lead to harmful egoism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Great people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-people/) [Indifference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indifference/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Saving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving/) [Saving grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving-grace/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/)

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