Vanity

Vanity is the first of the seven deadly sins

Vanity is the disordered concern for self-image

It’s the vice of caring too much about what other people think.

Why do we care so much about what other people think? Why do we want other people to praise us?

Because praise is supposed to be directed to some excellence – it’s natural for us to praise, to esteem, excellent things and excellent people.

But to receive praise just for the sake of praise is completely empty.

So, it is not praise that we should seek. We should strive to become excellent humans. People who are virtuous and excel in their duties and responsibilities.

We should strive for what is honorable rather than honor.

Then, if we are praised, then we say thank you and thank God.

That’s why Aquinas says that the truly virtuous person – the magnanimous person – doesn’t care about doing what will get praised, but about doing what is praiseworthy