In contemporary society, snobbery manifests itself as an aspiration for greatness expressed not through inner development but through the display of external attributes and affiliation with the elite.

Snobbery: The Illusory Quest for Greatness

In contemporary society, snobbery manifests itself as an aspiration for greatness expressed not through inner development but through the display of external attributes and affiliation with the elite. This trend becomes evident when a person attempts to elevate their status using ostentatious confidence and formal symbols of high standing, rather than by developing genuine knowledge and profound qualities.

At the core of such behavior is the desire to appear better than one really is—a pursuit of a status "mask" that creates an illusion of spiritual and intellectual exclusivity. Analyzing examples from various sources, one can observe that snobbery often turns into an aspiration for superficial success at the expense of true substance. Instead of showcasing real achievements and a deep understanding of matters, snobs resort to surface-level attributes and external self-assurance, which frequently leads to the loss of genuine qualities and the breakdown of sincere relationships.

The negative impact of this phenomenon is also evident in the social sphere—a superficial approach to individuals results in alienation and a lack of sincerity in interpersonal communication. When genuine substance is replaced by ostensible grandeur, the possibility for true connection and deep human bonds is lost; instead, disconnection and estrangement take root.

Thus, snobbery can be seen as a distorted aspiration for greatness, one grounded in superficial glitter rather than in profound personal qualities. In the modern world, it is essential to recognize the value of true development and not allow ostentatious elitism to overshadow real achievements and the emotional richness of relationships.

Can snobbery be considered an expression of the aspiration for greatness, and how does it affect people’s social behavior?

Based on the presented quotes, snobbery can be regarded as a distorted aspiration for greatness—not in the sense of genuine development and profound achievements, but as a desire to elevate oneself through external attributes and the demonstration of elite affiliation, even if these are not supported by true knowledge or inner qualities. Consequently, such an aspiration turns into an expression of vanity and pride.

For example, the source " link txt" states:
"In reality, his knowledge is insignificant and shallow, devoid of spirit and devalued. ... The snob is a spiritual semblance of existence. And the atmosphere he creates around himself—snobbery—is vain and harmful."
This quote emphasizes that snobbery is more of an external façade, a mask that allows a person to appear superior to what they truly are, directly linked to the desire to seem great, even though genuine greatness is never truly achieved.

Further confirmation of the role of the aspiration for greatness can be found in the source " link txt", which notes:
"Once upon a time, the term 'gentleman' was used to refer to any member of the nobility, even if he was illiterate and unkempt to the point of repulsion. Centuries passed before this word came to denote a certain standard of education and behavior, and now a gentleman may be poor and of humble origins, but he cannot be brazen or dull. Since our new elite strives to catch up with the West, this process must proceed much faster for it. And the lessons of English snobbery will be very useful here: what is it like to be elite? English snobbery—after all, it is not mere show-off, but rather a confidence in one’s abilities and a readiness to assume a dignified position."
This passage underscores that, in certain social circles, snobbery is perceived as a means to assert one’s elitism—expressing self-confidence and the ambition to occupy a high position, even though such a position is often based on formal and superficial criteria.

Regarding its effect on social behavior, snobbery breeds alienation and superficiality in interpersonal relationships. The source " link txt" illustrates how the desire to reject others' viewpoints and create a veil of “emptiness” around oneself leads to even close people being deprived of genuine warmth and sincerity. Thus, snobbery—as a manifestation of a false aspiration for greatness—does not foster true social harmony; on the contrary, it undermines genuine human bonds.

Supporting citation(s):
"In reality, his knowledge is insignificant and shallow, devoid of spirit and devalued. All of it is like empirical dust, and he is akin to a vacuum cleaner. As an expert, he is without substance; his reasoning creates nothing; his authority is not genuine authority. The sacred and profound essence of things escapes him; what he grasps is merely an overlay of details, ostentatious and formal. Therefore, all his behavior is superficial and trivial.
The snob is a spiritual semblance of existence. And the atmosphere he creates around himself—snobbery—is vain and harmful." (source: link txt)

"Once upon a time, the term 'gentleman' was used for any member of the nobility, even if he was illiterate and terribly unkempt. Centuries passed before this word came to denote a certain standard of education and behavior, and now a gentleman may be poor and of humble origins, but he cannot be brazen or dull. Since our new elite strives to catch up with the West, this process must proceed much faster for it. And the lessons of English snobbery will be very useful here: what is it like to be elite? English snobbery—after all, it is not mere show-off, but rather confidence in one’s abilities and a readiness to assume a dignified position." (source: link txt)

Thus, snobbery can be interpreted as an aspiration for greatness expressed through the external display of status and elite affiliation, which ultimately leads to superficiality and alienation in social behavior.