Human envy is certainly not one of the sources of…
“Human envy is certainly not one of the sources of discontent that a free society can eliminate. It is probably one of the essential conditions for the preservation of such a society that we do not countenance envy, not sanction its demands by camouflaging it as social justice, but treat it, in the words of John Stuart Mill, as 'the most anti-social and evil of all passions.'”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Envy is a destructive passion that a free society must not endorse or disguise as social justice, as it undermines social cohesion.
In simple terms: Envy harms society and must be rejected.
Key Takeaway
Promote policies that discourage envy and foster fairness.
Themes
politics
morality
social justice
psychology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- educational curricula
- public discourse
Key Concepts
liberalism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance equality without fostering envy?
- What role does cultural narrative play in shaping attitudes toward envy?