Envy will merit as its shade pursue,
But like a shadow, proves the substance true.

Envy will merit as its shade pursue,
But like a shadow, proves the substance true.

If you optimize everything, you will always be unhappy.

If you optimize everything, you will always be unhappy.

If we did but know how little some enjoy of the great things that they possess, there would not be read more

If we did but know how little some enjoy of the great things that they possess, there would not be much envy in the world.

Envy is like a fly that passes all the body's sounder parts, and dwells upon the sores.

Envy is like a fly that passes all the body's sounder parts, and dwells upon the sores.

Envy, to which th' ignoble mind's a slave,
Is emulation in the learn'd or brave.

Envy, to which th' ignoble mind's a slave,
Is emulation in the learn'd or brave.

Given the amount of unjust suffering and unhappiness in the world, I am deeply grateful for, sometimes even perplexed by, read more

Given the amount of unjust suffering and unhappiness in the world, I am deeply grateful for, sometimes even perplexed by, how much misery I have been spared.

The general's disdained
By him one step below, he by the next,
The next by him beneath; read more

The general's disdained
By him one step below, he by the next,
The next by him beneath; so every step,
Exampled by the first pace that is sick
Of his superior, grows to an envious fever
Of pale and bloodless emulation:
And 'tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot,
Not her own sinews.

Nothing can allay the rage of biting envy.
[Lat., Rabiem livoris acerbi
Nulla potest placare quies.]

Nothing can allay the rage of biting envy.
[Lat., Rabiem livoris acerbi
Nulla potest placare quies.]

But, oh! what mighty magician can assuage
A woman's envy?

But, oh! what mighty magician can assuage
A woman's envy?