Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources / Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them

by Rev. James Wood

Vain for the rude craftsman to attempt the beautiful; only one diamond can polish another. Goethe.

Vain hope to make people happy by politics! Carlyle.

Vain is the help of man. Bible.

Vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. Bible.

Vain men delight in telling what honours have been done them, what great company they have kept, and the like; by which they plainly confess that these honours were more than their due. Swift.

Vain people are loquacious; and proud, taciturn. Schopenhauer.

Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye. Hen. VIII., iii. 2.

Vain to send the purblind or blind to the shore 5 of a Pactolus never so golden: these find only gravel; the seer and finder alone picks up golden grains there. Carlyle.

Vain, very vain, my weary search to find / That bliss which only centres in the mind. Goldsmith.

Vainglory blossoms, but never bears. Pr.