Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.
—Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) American Catholic Theologian
For if the modern mind is whimsical and discursive, the classical mind is narrow, unhesitating, relentless. It is not a quality of intelligence that one encounters frequently these days. But though I can digress with the best of them, I am nothing in my soul if not obsessive.
—Donna Tartt (b.1963) American Novelist
No metal can—no, not the hangman’s axe—bear half the keenness of thy sharp envy.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Envy wounds with false accusations, that is with detraction, a thing which scares virtue.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
Men are so constituted that every one undertakes what he sees another successful in, whether he has aptitude for it or not.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
It is not greed that drives the world, but envy.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
Envy is the antagonist of the fortunate.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Envy and wrath shorten the life.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Envy shoots at others and wounds itself.
—English Proverb
Hatred is active, and envy passive dislike; there is but one step from envy to hate.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Jealousy is all the fun you think they had.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
Jealousy is not a barometer by which the depth of love can be read. It merely records the degree of the lover’s insecurity.
—Margaret Mead (1901–78) American Anthropologist, Social Psychologist
Envy is the tax which all distinction must pay.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If envy, like anger, did not burn itself in its own fire, and consume and destroy those persons it possesses before it can destroy those it wishes worst to, it would set the whole world on fire, and leave the most excellent persons the most miserable.
—Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–74) English Statesman, Historian
It is not enough to succeed, others must fail.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Envy sets the stronger seal on desert; if he have no enemies, I should esteem his fortune most wretched.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Let age, not envy, draw wrinkles on thy cheeks.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Some folks rail against other folks, because other folks have what some folks would be glad of.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Mediocrity doesn’t mean average intelligence, it means an average intelligence that resents and envies its betters.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better or worse as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but though his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
He will be loved when dead, who was envied when he was living.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
None of the affections have been noted to fascinate and bewitch but envy.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Envy is a kind of praise.
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Among true and real friends, all is common; and were ignorance and envy and superstition banished from the world, all mankind would be friend.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) English Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist
Envy depreciates the genius of the great Homer.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Envy is more irreconcilable than hatred.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Probably the greatest harm done by vast wealth is the harm that we of moderate means do ourselves when we let the vices of envy and hatred enter deep into our own natures.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
There is no surer mark of the absence of the highest moral and intellectual qualities than a cold reception of excellence.
—Gamaliel Bailey (1807–59) American Journalist
If a poor person envies a rich person, he is no better than the rich person.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
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