Even though he’s not completely Thomistic in his treatment of the virtues, C.S. Lewis brilliantly explains in chapter 2 of Mere Christianity the difference between vanity and pride:That is why vanity, though it is the sort of pride which shows most on the surface, is really the least bad and most pardonable sort. The vain person wants praise, applause, admiration, too much and is always angling for it. It is a fault, but a childlike and even (in an odd way) a humble fault. It shows that you are not yet completely contented with your own admiration. You value other people enough to want them to look at you. You are, in fact, still human. The real black, diabolical Pride comes when you look down on others so much that you do not care what they think of you.So, CS Lewis basically holds that vanity is caring too much what people think of you; pride too little. I often wonder, then: How does one balance the virtues of indomitability and meekness? How does one balance magnanimity and humility? One of the keys to all of these balances is to simply admit to yourself that you will never please all of your enemies. Therefore, go ahead and make resolutions without care of others. You will never satisfy everyone, so just follow Jesus Christ.

Originally published in Padre Peregrino. Read original article