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 βWhere thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
William PennRead
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.
William PennRead
Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
William PennRead
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
William PennRead
Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.
William PennRead
Similar quotes
Faith is a gift from God and he gives it to whomever he chooses
Mother TeresaRead
If you believe that no one was ever corrupted by a book, you have also to believe that no one was ever improved by a book.
Irving KristolRead
Grief comes and goes, but depression is unremitting
Kay Redfield JamisonRead
Inspiration is a slender river of brightness leaping from a vast and eternal knowledge, it exceeds reason more perfectly than reason exceeds the knowledge of the senses.
Sri AurobindoRead
How many things I can do without!
SocratesRead
The sinners to whom Jesus directed His messianic ministry were not those who skipped morning devotions or Sunday church. His ministry was to those whom society considered real sinners. They had done nothing to merit salvation. Yet they opened themselves to the gift that was offered them. On the other hand, the self-righteous placed their trust in the works of the Law and closed their hearts to the message of grace.
Brennan ManningRead