Envy and Jealousy

Man will do many things to get himself loved;

he will do all things to get himself envied.

-MarkTwain

From the book: Seeking wisdom from Darwin to Munger by Peter Bevelin

Aristotle said: "Envy is pain at the good fortune of others."

We evaluate our own situation by comparing what we have with what others have.

Aristotle said:

"We envy those who are near us in time, place, age or reputation." 

It is people similar to us we envy most. Financial historian Charles P. Kindleberger says in Manias, Panics, and Crashes: "There is nothing so disturbing to one's well-being and judgment as to see a friend get rich." For example, studies show that how happy we are is partly determined by where we stand in relation to similar others.The 19th Century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer said: ''As Hobbes observes, all mental pleasure consists in being able to compare oneself with others

to one's own advantage." We are jealous when we perceive a threat to a valued relationship. Studies show that jealousy is ranked among the top three motives for murder.

You can find a funny envy example in the movie 3 Idiot when Rancho gets first rank then farhan and Raju's reaction is worth noting down of the human tendency on envy.

You can the video here:

Bertrand Russell said that envy is one of the fundamental causes of human

suffering. The 18th Century French philosopher and mathematician Marquis de

Condorcet said: 

"Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another."

As long as you achieve your goals, it shouldn't matter if someone else does better.

Studies show that it matters whether we believe that others deserve their success.

Aristotle said: 

"The best way to avoid envy is to deserve the success you get."

It's good if instead of thinking others achievements, we think about yourself that what improvement we need in ourselves. Thing about others make us measurable and give pain, so work on yourself. Make god habits. Read good books. Learn from everything and implement in your own life.

Thanks & Regards,

Mahesh