This quote suggests that when our pride is hurt, our vanity becomes more resilient. In other words, when we feel diminished or defeated in some way (our pride being wounded), we often respond by inflating our self-importance or vanity as a defense mechanism. It’s as if our ego, having been bruised, seeks to protect itself by becoming more resistant to criticism or perceived attacks. This can result in a heightened sense of self-worth or superiority, which is harder to puncture.

The concept of pride here refers to our self-respect and dignity, while vanity is seen as an inflated estimation of one’s self-worth or abilities. Nietzsche seems to suggest that these two aspects of our self-perception are interrelated and can influence each other. When our pride is wounded, we may feel a need to compensate by bolstering our vanity, making it harder for others (or even ourselves) to challenge our inflated self-perception.

Applying this idea to today’s world, we can see it manifest in various social and personal scenarios. For instance, in the age of social media, where people often present idealized versions of their lives, a person might feel their pride wounded when they compare their own life to these seemingly perfect ones. In response, they might post more impressive content about themselves, essentially inflating their online “vanity” to protect their wounded pride.

In terms of personal development, understanding this dynamic can be beneficial. Recognizing that a surge in vanity might be a reaction to a wounded pride can help individuals address the root of their insecurities. Instead of feeding into vanity as a defense mechanism, they could focus on healing their pride and cultivating a healthier self-esteem. This awareness could lead to more authentic self-confidence, rather than a fragile vanity that needs constant validation.