vanity of charm

Question

Is the wording of the following sentences acceptable and natural?

Finally, Dave and the chipmunks come to understand their true and real value. The vanity of the "charm" to them is briefly like a cloud. In fact, loyalty, family and friendship are the most treasurable.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Sentence #2 sounds a bit odd to me.

Clive

Avangi · Answer

They sound acceptable to me.

Some of the wording is unexpected, so you might call it "unnatural" in that sense.
but I'd consider it idiomatic.

Contiluo · Answer

The sentence #2, "The vanity of the 'charm' to them is briefly like a cloud" means that high official positions, fame,and wealth are unrealistic.  They are as transient and ephemeral as a fleeting cloud.  So, is there a better expression of this sentence?

Avangi · Answer

contiluoThey are as transient and ephemeral as a fleeting cloud.

This is perfect.

contiluo"The vanity of the 'charm' to them is briefly like a cloud"

For me, there are a couple of problems with this part. (I assume you consider this poetry.)
I have a problem with "briefly." I think you need the adjective instead of the adverb.
Surely a fleeting cloud is brief. And not all clouds are fleeting.
When you use the adverb (it's briefly like a cloud), you imply that after that brief period it becomes something else, not cloudlike. Is that what you mean to say?
But it's not the vanity which is fleeting. The vanity persists. Isn't it the charm which is fleeting?

You seem to define "the charm" as worldly possessions and power. I don't think that's quite idiomatic in English.
(Perhaps you can get away with it in poetry.)
But aren't you saying that even when wealth and power continue, the satisfaction dissipates like a fleeting cloud?

I need to understand what you're trying to say.

Contiluo · Answer

As your instruction, the sentence is trying to say even when wealth and power continue, the satisfaction dissipates like a fleeting cloud.  Therefore, they come to understand that loyalty, family and friendship are the most treasurable.  (This expression is translated from a Chinese proverb, and I don't know how to phrase the idea appropriately in English.)

vanity of charm

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