Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1905 — The Psychology of Vanity. [ARTICLE]

The Psychology of Vanity.

A French scientist, M. Camille Melinard, discusses in La Revue (Paris) the psychological aspects of vanity, which, he declares, is the desire for praise become all powerful. Vanity in the beginning, he declares, is more a caprice than a vice, but vices may arise out of it. He discusses vanity of dress, of manners and of intellect. To prevent the development of vanity, he says, we should begin very early with the child. In fact, it is we who make the child vain by the misuse of praise, comparisons with companions, too much admiration; also by raillery, which may cause the child much suffering and teach him to fear criticism. There is too much appeal to amour propr?, and there are too many competitions and prizes which may stimulate energy, but require very prudent use. It would be better to compare the scholar with himself. To work to be the first need not be bad, but to work for the joy of working and learning is much better and less exciting. Finally, let us remember that the advantages we boast of have little value In themselves; all depends on the use we make of them. The only quality of which we can never be vain is Justice.