The vain.-- We are like shop windows in which we are continually arranging, concealing or illuminating the supposed qualities other ascribe to us - in order to deceiveourselves.
from Nietzsche's Daybreak, s. 385, R.J. Hollingdale
In the above quote, I believe Nietzsche is trying to say that human beings are continuous living their according to what others are saying about them. Because all aspects of society give us a label and believe we have no choice but to conform to it. The things that people say affect the way we function in our society. We are to concerned about the thoughts of others. Human beings put themselves on display and then allow ourselves to be open up to judgement and critique, but instead of ignoring judgement and accepting who we really are, we arrange, conceal so others will approve our persona.
How it applies today: On a personal level, I am 5'3 and I weigh 200lbs. I gained alot of weight after after my pregnancy. People comment all the time saying I am very beautiful, attractive young lady. I tend to get alot favors and my personality allows me to move freely around others. But my opinion about my self is I am self conscious about my weight and I'm not comfortable about my self image. I feel my beauty only comes from when I high light my outward appearance.
I sympathize with you. We have based our self-esteem on how others (men) view us throughout history. Although I can argue that the guys who are constantly in the gym have a sorry case of vanity also.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said is very true; a lot of people live their lives based on how others perceive them to be. I believe that this is something everyone can relate to. At some point in everyone’s or at least most people’s lives we have done things that are out of our character in order to impress someone else. It is a story we have heard and seen many times, some people go through extreme measures in order to attract the attention of others. Then you have individuals who tend to feel insecure due to not looking like the celebrities they see on television.
ReplyDeleteYou can say that perhaps the celebrities themselves teach the common folk just how to the vain. A prime example of this would be Nicki Minaj. Her music is iffy at best. Yet, she is known for looking ridiculous and being a narcissist. As a nation, we are absorbed with these vain celebrity types like Kardashians, the Lohans, and Jersey Shore? Should we not make celebrities out of top educators, scientists and nobel prize winners?
DeleteIt is strange however, how much pressure there is to conform to the vanity held by society at large. When I see my husband ogle at movie stars or other females he encounters, I am pressured to start dressing and acting like them. Does that make me vain because I am seeking approval from my husband? Does that make ME the vain person, or does it condemn those whom exemplify vain behavior?