deprives himself of the good things that he deserves; and his
failure to claim good things makes it seem that he has something bad about him
[and also that he does not know himself],
1 for （people argue）, if he deserved any
good, he would try to obtain it. Not that such persons are considered foolish, but rather
too retiring; yet this estimate of them is thought to make them still worse, for men's
ambitions show what they are worth, and if they hold aloof from noble enterprises and
pursuits, and for go the good things of life, presumably they think they are not worthy of
them.
3.
[
36]
The vain on the other hand are foolish persons, who are deficient in self-knowledge and
expose their defect: they undertake honorable responsibilities of which they are not
worthy, and then are found out. They are ostentatious in dress, manner and so on. They
want people to know how well off they are, and talk about it,2
imagining that this will make them respected.3.
[37]
Smallness of Soul is more opposed than Vanity to Greatness of Soul, being both more
prevalent and worse.3.
[38]
Greatness of Soul then, as we have said, is concerned with great honors.
