The quote "What makes vanity so insufferable to us, is that it hurts our own" suggests that the reason we find vanity, or excessive pride in one’s appearance or achievements, so intolerable is because it threatens or undermines our own self-esteem. In essence, when we see someone flaunting their accomplishments or looks, it can make us feel insecure about our own. This is because we often compare ourselves to others, and when someone else’s vanity is on display, it might make us feel that we don’t measure up.
This idea can be seen in many aspects of today’s society, especially with the rise of social media. People often use these platforms to showcase the best parts of their lives, which can lead to others feeling inadequate or less successful in comparison. This sense of inadequacy can be worsened by vanity, as it can seem like the person is not only successful, but also overly proud and unappreciative of their success.
In terms of personal development, this quote can serve as a reminder to be mindful of our own reactions to others’ vanity. Instead of letting it hurt our self-esteem, we can use it as motivation to improve ourselves. It can also remind us to be humble in our own successes, as excessive pride can be off-putting to others. Furthermore, it can encourage us to focus on our own path and progress, rather than comparing ourselves to others. In this way, we can take control of our self-esteem and not let it be affected by others’ vanity.