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Rashi Breishis 23:1 says that when Sarah was 20 she was beautiful as when she was 7. Mishlei 31:30 says שקר החן והבל היפי אשה יראת ה' היא תתהלל. Why is Rashi saying that Sarah was beautiful if it is vain?

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The Pele Yoetz answers this question by saying that if one can get a beautiful wife and she is also fearing of God then that is the best combination. I think he says the reason is that a pretty wife will help her husband from sinning.

The rule of שקר החן is for someone who cannot find any God fearing wife except a non-pretty one, in that case we say שקר החן.

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So basically, beauty is only important if you have any. How lovely. – Double AA♦ Nov 16 '12 at 3:19
@DoubleAA Beauty is an extra virtue but not as important is Yiras Shomayim. – yehuda Nov 16 '12 at 6:24
I never contended to the contrary. – Double AA♦ Nov 16 '12 at 7:25

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