--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we envy another, we make their…" description: "\"When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice.\" — Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/nicolas-boileau-despreaux-1070_character_when-we-envy-another-we-make-their-virtu_2954240.jpg" --- # When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice. ![“When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice.” quote by Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/nicolas-boileau-despreaux-1070_character_when-we-envy-another-we-make-their-virtu_2954240.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/nicolas-boileau-despreaux-1070_character_when-we-envy-another-we-make-their-virtu_2954240.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/nicolas-boileau-despreaux-1070_character_when-we-envy-another-we-make-their-virtu_2954240.jpg) > “When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice.” [Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-boileau-despreaux/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Envy turns another’s virtue into a personal flaw. **In simple terms:** Envy makes virtue into vice. Key Takeaway Guard against envy. Themes envy virtue vice self‑reflection morality Mood cautionary reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - ethical behavior - leadership - team dynamics Key Concepts ethical philosophy psychology of envy social comparison Questions to Reflect On - How does envy affect your actions? - What transforms virtue into vice? A Different Perspective Envy can distort perception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Chastity is a virtue with some, but with many it is almost a vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/chastity-is-a-virtue-with-some-but-with-many-it-is-almost-a-vice/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [There are two sorts of content; one is connected with exertion, the other with habits of indolence. The first is a virtue; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-edgeworth/there-are-two-sorts-of-content-one-is-connected-with-exertion-the/) [Maria Edgeworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-edgeworth/) > [We pass for what we are. 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