Very few live by choice. Every man is placed in his present condition by causes which acted without his foresight, and with which he did not always willingly cooperate; and therefore you will rarely meet one who does not think the lot of his neighbor better than his own.

Men are in general so tricky, so envious, so cruel, that when we find one who is only weak, we are happy.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious.

Envy is the deformed and distorted offspring of egotism; and when we reflect on the strange and disproportioned character of the parent, we cannot wonder at the perversity and waywardness of the child.

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend, excepting lust, the indulgence of which increases its enmity.

The greatest harm that you can do unto the envious, is to do well.

Envy not greatness: for thou makest thereby Thyself the worse, and so the distance greater.

Covetousness has for its mother unlawful desire, for its daughter injustice, and for its friend violence.

Attribute not the good actions of another to bad causes: thou canst not know his heart; but the world will know by this that thine is full of envy.