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.

As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion.

As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion.

How much better a thing it is to be envied than to be pitied.

How much better a thing it is to be envied than to be pitied.

The truest mark of being born with great qualities, is being born without envy.

The truest mark of being born with great qualities, is being born without envy.

Envy, like fire, soars upward.
[Lat., Invidiam, tamquam ignem, summa petere.]

Envy, like fire, soars upward.
[Lat., Invidiam, tamquam ignem, summa petere.]

Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one read more

Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one another.

Envy shoots at others and wounds itself

Envy shoots at others and wounds itself

Helpless, unknown, and unremembered, most human beings, however sensitive, idealistic, intelligent, go through life as passengers rather than chauffeurs. Although read more

Helpless, unknown, and unremembered, most human beings, however sensitive, idealistic, intelligent, go through life as passengers rather than chauffeurs. Although we may pretend that it is the chauffeur who is the social inferior, most of us, like Toad of Toad Hall, would not mind a turn at the wheel ourselves.

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.