Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
William PennRead
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being foolish is a personal flaw, but vanity is a problem that affects everyone around you.
William Penn's quote emphasizes the distinction between personal folly and the broader impact of vanity. While being foolish may lead to personal misjudgments, being vain affects not just the individual but also those within their social circle, as it breeds arrogance and self-importance, creating a negative environment for relationships and communication.
Themes
VanityFoolishnessRelationshipsWisdomSelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about personal growth and self-reflection.
More from William Penn
All quotes →Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
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Man, being made reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the public, and his own present and future benefit in all respects.
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Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
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Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
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Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.
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