---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To feel envy is human, to savour…"
description: "\"To feel envy is human, to savour schadenfreude is devilish\" — Arthur Schopenhauer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/arthur-schopenhauer-226_devilish_to-feel-envy-is-human-to-savour-schadenf_2487185.jpg"
---

#  To feel envy is human, to savour schadenfreude is devilish

![“To feel envy is human, to savour schadenfreude is devilish” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/arthur-schopenhauer-226_devilish_to-feel-envy-is-human-to-savour-schadenf_2487185.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/arthur-schopenhauer-226_devilish_to-feel-envy-is-human-to-savour-schadenf_2487185.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/arthur-schopenhauer-226_devilish_to-feel-envy-is-human-to-savour-schadenf_2487185.jpg)

> “To feel envy is human, to savour schadenfreude is devilish”

[Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/)

## 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 natural human feeling, while taking pleasure in others’ misfortune (schadenfreude) is a morally negative, base impulse.

**In simple terms:** Envy is human; schadenfreude is immoral.

Key Takeaway

Avoid reveling in others’ suffering.

Themes

ethics human nature emotion morality

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- workplace competition
- social media
- personal relationships
- sports rivalries
- political discourse

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we feel pleasure at others’ loss?
- How can we transform envy into motivation?

A Different Perspective

Schadenfreude can damage empathy and community.

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[Devilish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devilish/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Envy Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy-human-926269/) [Feel Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-envy-926268/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Jealousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jealousy/) [Savour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savour/) [Savour Schadenfreude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savour-schadenfreude-926266/) [Schadenfreude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schadenfreude/) [Schadenfreude Devilish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schadenfreude-devilish-926267/)

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