A person who subordinates himself to his Creator is modest with his behaviors and does not reveal them publicly. His whole relationship with his Creator is private so why would he feel a need to paint himself before others with a superficial picture. But someone who does not subordinate himself to Hashem feels a lack of peace and tranquility if he is not exhibiting himself outwards, he feels that he has nothing. He therefore tells others of his stature and accomplishments and takes pride in them. He makes efforts to attribute some sort of accomplishment to himself. He lacks the awareness that true accomplishment comes from a total giving over of oneself to his Creator.
It is most appropriate for a woman to dress nicely and put on makeup. Done in that way to be attractive to her husband is a beautiful expression of Tznius (modesty). If she is doing so to catch the attention of those outside of her marriage it is the diametric opposite of Tznius. So too, a person needs to beautify himself with pride in his spiritual accomplishments before his Creator. But when he takes pride in them before others it has the opposite effect, and before his Creator he is naked of any beauty. A person needs to reveal himself as a vessel for Hashem's honor and glory and the light then shines upon him and gives him life.
Even though everything a person has ultimately comes from Hashem, and any adornments we put on to present ourselves to Hashem come from Him, He appreciates our coming before Him with what he gives us as we are carrying with pride what we received from Him.
It is most appropriate for a woman to dress nicely and put on makeup. Done in that way to be attractive to her husband is a beautiful expression of Tznius (modesty). If she is doing so to catch the attention of those outside of her marriage it is the diametric opposite of Tznius. So too, a person needs to beautify himself with pride in his spiritual accomplishments before his Creator. But when he takes pride in them before others it has the opposite effect, and before his Creator he is naked of any beauty. A person needs to reveal himself as a vessel for Hashem's honor and glory and the light then shines upon him and gives him life.
Even though everything a person has ultimately comes from Hashem, and any adornments we put on to present ourselves to Hashem come from Him, He appreciates our coming before Him with what he gives us as we are carrying with pride what we received from Him.
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