Envy Quote by Jeremy Collier
“Envy is an ill-natured vice, and is made up of meanness and malice. It wishes the force of goodness to be strained, and the measure of happiness abated. It laments over prosperity, and sickens at the sight of health. It oftentimes wants spirit as well as good nature.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Spectator, 1711
Envy is a destructive feeling that resents others’ success and seeks to diminish their happiness, driven by meanness and malice.
In simple terms: Envy resents others’ success and tries to reduce it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and curb envy to protect goodwill.
Themes
envy
malice
resentment
ethics
human nature
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
moral
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace competition
- political discourse
- media consumption
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your envy?
- How can you transform envy into constructive action?
A Different Perspective
Envy can sometimes motivate self-improvement, but often harms relationships.
