The words vanity and pride are two words that are commonly confused with one another. In Jane Austen's famous novel Pride and Prejudice, Mary, Elizabeth's younger sister clearly distinguishes the difference between the two. She truthfully states that "a person may be proud without being vain" (Pride and Prejudice, pg 21). These two words that seem to have similar meanings have definitions that are considerably different.
Pride is defined as a high opinion of one's own worth, or a pleasure and satisfaction in something concerned with oneself. When one has pride, one is proud of their accomplishments, abilities, achievements etc, without attitude or superiority. “Pride relates to our opinion of ourselves," rather than others having pride in us. The word pride stems from the Latin word for proud, prode. Prode means an advantageous profit. Pride is a common attribute that one has felt at one point or another.
The word vanity is derived from the Latin word vanitatem for foolish pride. Later, it was modernized in French to vanite. In English, the word vanite has been translated to vanity, becoming the common word used in English speaking countries. Vanity can be defined as an excessive amount of pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements etc. Vanity is seen as conceit in a person. It is a word that conjures up a negative connotation and suggests a degree of blindness. Someone who is considered vain has a certain attitude towards others, generally a feeling of superiority.
When Elizabeth's younger sister, Mary explains that "a person may be proud without being vain," she is suggesting that the words vanity and pride are not necessarily interchangeable. We can all feel a sense of pride in ourselves and accomplishments and not be obnoxious or vain about it. If you are considered vain it is an observation generally that others are making. The person cannot perceive their own vanity. Therefore, one can be proud without being obnoxious and vain. This is what Mary is attempting to explain to her older sister about Mr. Darcy.
Mary Bennet understands that pride and vanity is two separate words with two different meanings and that one doesn't necessarily denote the other. It is actually an interesting observation and insightful.
