--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Envy is the most universal passion. We…" description: "\"Envy is the most universal passion. We only pride ourselves on the qualities we possess, or think we possess; but we envy the pretensions we have, and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/william-hazlitt-326_advantage_envy-is-the-most-universal-passion-we-on_3019351.jpg" --- # Envy is the most universal passion. We only pride… ![“Envy is the most universal passion. We only pride ourselves on the qualities we possess, or think we possess; but we envy the pretensions we have, and those which we have not, and do not even wish for. We envy the greatest qualities and every trifling advantage. We envy the most ridiculous…” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/william-hazlitt-326_advantage_envy-is-the-most-universal-passion-we-on_3019351.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/william-hazlitt-326_advantage_envy-is-the-most-universal-passion-we-on_3019351.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/william-hazlitt-326_advantage_envy-is-the-most-universal-passion-we-on_3019351.jpg) > “Envy is the most universal passion. We only pride ourselves on the qualities we possess, or think we possess; but we envy the pretensions we have, and those which we have not, and do not even wish for. We envy the greatest qualities and every trifling advantage. We envy the most ridiculous appearance or affectation of superiority. We envy folly and conceit; nay, we go so far as to envy whatever confers distinction of notoriety, even vice and infamy.” [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Envy extends beyond what we own to imagined superiority, even undesirable fame, showing human desire for distinction can be self‑defeating. **In simple terms:** We envy what we lack, even negative traits. Key Takeaway Recognize and redirect envy into personal growth. Themes envy desire self‑image social comparison Mood reflective critical Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - career ambition - social media - political rivalry - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology human nature identity Questions to Reflect On - What does your envy reveal about your values? - How can you transform envy into constructive action? A Different Perspective Envy can motivate harmful competition or resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Conceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceit/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Infamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infamy/) [Notoriety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notoriety/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Pretension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretension/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Jealousy is the fear or apprehension of superiority: envy our uneasiness under it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/jealousy-is-the-fear-or-apprehension-of-superiority-envy-our/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [Envy, though not the greatest sin, is the only one that gives the sinner no pleasure at all, not even fake and temporary satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/envy-though-not-the-greatest-sin-is-the-only-one-that-gives-the/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [Hatred also is short lived; but that which makes the splendor of the present and the glory of the future remains forever unforgotten here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/hatred-also-is-short-lived-but-that-which-makes-the-splendor-of-the/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [If we did but know how little some enjoy of the great things that they possess, there would not be much envy in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/if-we-did-but-know-how-little-some-enjoy-of-the-great-things-that/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [There is a diabolical trio existing in the natural man, implacable, inextinguishable, co-operative and consentaneous, pride, envy, and hate; pride that makes us fancy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/there-is-a-diabolical-trio-existing-in-the-natural-man-implacable/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Virtue steals, like a guilty thing, into the secret haunts of vice and infamy, clings to their devoted victim, and will not be driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/virtue-steals-like-a-guilty-thing-into-the-secret-haunts-of-vice-and/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [There is a heroism in crime as well as in virtue. 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