--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How natural it is to destroy what we…" description: "\"How natural it is to destroy what we cannot possess, to deny what we do not understand, and to insult what we envy!\" — Honore de Balzac" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fd/honor-de-balzac-197_deny_how-natural-it-is-to-destroy-what-we-can_406473.png" --- # How natural it is to destroy what we cannot possess, to… ![“How natural it is to destroy what we cannot possess, to deny what we do not understand, and to insult what we envy!” quote by Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fd/honor-de-balzac-197_deny_how-natural-it-is-to-destroy-what-we-can_406473.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fd/honor-de-balzac-197_deny_how-natural-it-is-to-destroy-what-we-can_406473.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fd/honor-de-balzac-197_deny_how-natural-it-is-to-destroy-what-we-can_406473.png) > “How natural it is to destroy what we cannot possess, to deny what we do not understand, and to insult what we envy!” [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often destroy or reject what they cannot control or understand, driven by envy. **In simple terms:** Envy leads to destruction of the unattainable. Key Takeaway Recognize and manage envy. Themes psychology social dynamics human nature Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - relationships - workplace - politics - social media Key Concepts projection defense mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your envy? - How can you transform envy into growth? A Different Perspective Envy can also motivate positive change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deny/) [Destroy Possess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroy-possess-3633499/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Insult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insult/) [Insult Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insult-envy-3633498/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural Destroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-destroy-3633500/) [Understand Insult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-insult-1766969/) ## Related quotes > [“Sometimes I almost pity them. I think I have a freedom they cannot understand. No insult, no blame can touch me. Because I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/sometimes-i-almost-pity-them-i-think-i-have-a-freedom-they-cannot/) [John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/) > [It's hilarious a lot of times. You have a conversation with someone, and he's like, 'You speak so well!' 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Never forsake a woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/oh-my-friend-when-you-love-love-a-woman-whom-you-are-sure-that-you/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“You have broken the ice, though you have not even scratched its glossy surface: you have placed your hand upon the croup of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/you-have-broken-the-ice-though-you-have-not-even-scratched-its-glossy/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [In a world of hunchbacks, a fine figure becomes a monstrosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/in-a-world-of-hunchbacks-a-fine-figure-becomes-a-monstrosity/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [It is quite right what they say: the three most beautiful sights in the world are a ship in full sail, a galloping horse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-quite-right-what-they-say-the-three-most-beautiful-sights-in/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [My writing table has seen all my wretchedness, knows all my plans, has overheard all my thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/my-writing-table-has-seen-all-my-wretchedness-knows-all-my-plans-has/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Foppery, being the chronic condition of women, is not so much noticed as it is when it breaks out on the person of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/foppery-being-the-chronic-condition-of-women-is-not-so-much-noticed/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A married woman is a slave you must know how to seat upon a throne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-married-woman-is-a-slave-you-must-know-how-to-seat-upon-a-throne/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. 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It needs gymnastics, just like the body does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-mind-too-has-its-regimen-it-needs-gymnastics-just-like-the-body/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Hatred like love feeds on the merest trifles. Everything adds to it. 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