Able Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“The hate of favourites is only a love of favour. The envy of NOT possessing it, consoles and softens its regrets by the contempt it evinces for those who possess it, and we refuse them our homage, not being able to detract from them what attracts that of the rest of the world.”
About This Quote
The speaker argues that hatred of favorites stems from envy of those who have what one lacks, which softens regret through contempt, preventing true admiration of the favored.
In simple terms: Envied favoritism breeds contempt, not respect.
Key Takeaway
Beware envy that turns admiration into resentment.
Themes
envy
favoritism
contempt
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- workplace dynamics
- family relationships
- social media
- political favoritism
Key Concepts
psychology of jealousy
social comparison
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes resent those who succeed?
- How can we transform envy into constructive admiration?
A Different Perspective
This view may ignore legitimate reasons for preference and overgeneralize emotional responses.
