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Envy Quote by Søren Kierkegaard

“I have never been joyful, and yet it has always seemed as if joy were my constant companion, as if the buoyant jinn of joy danced around me, invisible to others but not to me, whose eyes shone with delight. Then when I walk past people, happy-go-lucky as a god, and they envy me because of my good…” quote by Søren Kierkegaard
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““I have never been joyful, and yet it has always seemed as if joy were my constant companion, as if the buoyant jinn of joy danced around me, invisible to others but not to me, whose eyes shone with delight. Then when I walk past people, happy-go-lucky as a god, and they envy me because of my good fortune, I laugh, for I despise people, and I take my revenge. I have never wished to do anyone an injustice, but I have always made it appear as if anyone who came close to me would be wronged and injured. Then when I hear others praised for their faithfulness, their integrity, I laugh, for I despise people, and I take my revenge. My heart has never been hardened toward anyone, but I have always made it appear, especially when I was touched most deeply, as if my heart were closed and alien to every feeling. Then when I hear others lauded for their good hearts, see them loved for their deep, rich feelings, then I laugh, for I despise people and take my revenge. When I see myself cursed, abhorred, hated for my coldness and heartlessness, then I laugh, then my rage is satisfied. The point is that if the good people could make me be actually in the wrong, make me actually do an injustice-well, then I would have lost.””

Søren Kierkegaard

About This Quote

Source Book: Either/Or by Søren Kierkegaard, 1843

The speaker reveals a paradoxical self‑destructive envy, pretending to be joyful while secretly resenting others and seeking revenge through perceived injustice.

In simple terms: A bitter envy hides behind false joy, leading to self‑sabotage.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and confront hidden resentment.

Themes

envy self‑deception revenge identity psychology

Mood

conflicted dark introspective

Type

philosophical literary psychological

When to use this quote

  • social interactions
  • personal reflection
  • conflict resolution
  • emotional awareness

Key Concepts

existentialism moral conflict self‑image

Questions to Reflect On

  • What fuels your hidden resentment?
  • How can you transform envy into empathy?
A Different Perspective

The narrative may romanticize suffering, ignoring healthier coping strategies.

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