Causes Quote by Helmut Schoeck
“Overwhelming and astounding inequality,especially when it has an element of the unattainable, arouses far less envy than minimal inequality, which inevitably causes the envious to think: I might have been in his place.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Social Inequality and Human Nature, 1974
People envy small gaps more than huge, unattainable gaps because they feel they could realistically achieve the former.
In simple terms: Small inequality sparks envy; huge inequality does not.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when envy is realistic versus imagined.
Themes
envy
perception
social comparison
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
sociological
psychological
When to use this quote
- workplace salary reviews
- neighborhood housing markets
- educational opportunities
- policy debates
Key Concepts
relative deprivation
psychology of fairness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceived attainability affect your feelings of fairness?
- What actions can reduce envy in small disparities?
A Different Perspective
Huge gaps may be dismissed as impossible, reducing motivation to address them.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)