Character Quote by Francis Bacon
“A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For men's minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil; and who wanteth the one, will prey upon the other; and whoso is out of hope, to attain to another's virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another's fortune.”
About This Quote
A person lacking virtue envies others' virtue, leading to either self‑improvement or harming others to obtain it.
In simple terms: Envy of virtue leads to conflict.
Key Takeaway
Choose self‑growth over envy.
Themes
virtue
envy
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
cautionary
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- education
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
ethical dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you cultivate virtue within yourself?
- What strategies prevent you from harming others out of envy?
A Different Perspective
Envy can become destructive if unchecked.
