Vice That Is Often A Virtue

Matamata Record, Volume VI, Issue 483, 25 October 1923, Page 4

Vice That Is Often A Virtue

EVERYONE NEEDS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF VANITY. By Mrs W. L. GEORGE. Who that the people who accomplish things in this life nvo those Richard Jortoa, ami Alec B. Francis, who are often described us "vain," Ludy Tree said the oilier clay: "A little vanil,v is a dangerous thing to be without." Yet I am told that vanity is one of the cardinal sins. Tho vain woman is said to lie ivortuless; sin' is empty-headed; she devotes her time and money .to clothes and to the cultivation of her looks; she is selfconscious because she thinks only of the effect she is making on others. She .-hows off incessantly, ami lakes no interest in serious topics, such as literature, music and general culture, and so she is stupid; she is extravagant, selfish and self-seeking. Vanity is supposed to he a woman's vice, hut man in this respect falls from virtue as easily as does woman. Man is seldom vain about his looks. His vanity Las other outlets. lie will boast about his business talents, his capacity for showing tact, and his prowess in .•sport. Tho foregoing n 's».' average view of what vanity make* of a man in 1 woman. But are vain people so worthless.' Is not a certain amount of vanity as necessary to an individual's make-up as a proportionate amount of humility? Vanity is a sign*of youth, ami youth is always refreshing. Vanity encourages women to make the best of themselves; humility causes them to let go.

It is tho humble women who resort to paint and powder; it is the humble woman who gives much thought and consideration to her clothes. The vain woman does not bother about her appearance or tier looks; she is vain enough to think that her appearance is good enough. It: is a healthy thing for a woman to have a good opinion of herself, and it is especially necessary in the case of a working woman.

A man likes his secretary to be smart ami trim. He likes her to show initjitive and common sense, l>ut :i man engaging a secretary must judge largely from the way she keeps herself and carries herself. I know a man who tells me he always looks at (he candidate's shoes. ll' they are well kept, he knows that she pays attention Id details. According to him, excessive vanity in secretaries is a bad thing, but excessive humility, is worse', -'o.spiniially if it sproads. to the .job itself.

Vanity is self- assurance, aud faith in oneself is an asset, a protection against snubs. Therefore, the vain woman does not need such gentle trenr. ment as does her humble sister, because! she demands less consideration, because she thinks well enough of herself to receive short answers and supposed injuries without sensitiveness. This makes Iter easier to get on with, and therefore it is easier to make her happy. Do vain women make good wives? 1 should say they do. The vain woman will make the best of her husband, her children, her house, and everything connected with her household. This, for a struggling business man, is one of the greatest assets he ■.-an have, lie knows that he can rely upon his wife to make upon his business friends the best impression when he bring them home to dinner. She will encourage him to make the most of his opportunities, and she will encourage him in enterprise. Vanity gives her assurance to aspire to any position, aud thus she encourages tho same feeling in her husband. Many men have been wrecked by the ambition and extravagance of their wives. but many more have been hampered in their careers by the lack of ambit ion shown by their wives. A vain woman is more >ambillous thanjie.r humble sister for her children's future, ami she will therefore make every effort to secure for them a good education. The vain woman is seldom 'a wasteful woman. She is shrewd, and krmws I hat money spent in keeping up appearances has its value, that it impresses upon her friends that her husband is clever and energetic, that it make them both more socially attractive. All virtues -are dangerous when carried to excess; charity aud generosity make spend-rnrjfts, courage becomes toolhardiaess, humility becomes cowardice. But these virtues are never attacked: Vanity is the only virtue known as a vice; fortunately it will survive attack. "". \