Vanity Quote by Michel de Montaigne
““I do not think that there is so much wretchedness in us as vanity; we are not so much wicked as daft; we are not so much full of evil as of inanity; we are not so much pitiful as despicable.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays, Book III, 1580
Human flaws are modest; we are not as wicked, vain, or pitiful as we imagine.
In simple terms: Our vices are less extreme than we think.
Key Takeaway
Embrace realistic self‑assessment.
Themes
humility
self‑awareness
human nature
modesty
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- counseling
- education
- conflict resolution
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do we make about our own vice?
- How does modest self‑view affect moral behavior?
A Different Perspective
May downplay genuine moral failings.
![“The purpose of the whole [the Comedy] and of this portion [the Paradiso] is to remove those who are living in this life from the state of wretchedness, and to lead them to the state of blessedness.” quote by Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e05/dante-alighieri-590_blessedness_the-purpose-of-the-whole-the-comedy-and_145640.jpg)
