We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves
And spend our flatteries to drink those men
Upon whose read more

We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves
And spend our flatteries to drink those men
Upon whose age we void it up again
With poisonous spite and envy.

Our envy of others devours us most of all.

Our envy of others devours us most of all.

Whoever feels pain in hearing a good character of his neighbor, will feel a pleasure in the reverse. And those read more

Whoever feels pain in hearing a good character of his neighbor, will feel a pleasure in the reverse. And those who despair to rise in distinction by their virtues, are happy if others can be depressed to a level of themselves.

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.

The artist envies what the arties gains,
The bard the rival bard's successful strains.

The artist envies what the arties gains,
The bard the rival bard's successful strains.

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

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

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.]

Envy consists in seeing things never in themselves, but only in their relations. If you desire glory, you may envy read more

Envy consists in seeing things never in themselves, but only in their relations. If you desire glory, you may envy Napoleon, but Napoleon envied Caesar, Caesar envied Alexander, and Alexander, I daresay, envied Hercules, who never existed.

Base envy withers at another's joy,
And hates that excellence it cannot reach.

Base envy withers at another's joy,
And hates that excellence it cannot reach.