Envy and love are powerful emotions. They grip the mind with such intensity that they can influence both thoughts and actions, especially when faced with their objects of desire or resentment. Love enchants, and envy poisons. The Bible even refers to envy as an “evil eye,” and astrologers describe the harmful influence of stars as “evil aspects.” This connection suggests that envy can emanate from a person, almost like a physical force. Some even believe that envy strikes hardest when its target is basking in glory or triumph. Why? Because success amplifies jealousy and draws attention, leaving the envied more vulnerable to attack.
Still, let us move past these curiosities and focus instead on understanding who envies, who is envied, and how envy plays out in both private and public spheres.
People who lack personal virtue often envy those who possess it. This is because the human mind either finds satisfaction in its own strengths or preys on the misfortune of others. Those who cannot rise to another’s level of excellence seek to lower them instead, using criticism or sabotage to level the playing field. Envy feeds on insecurity and thrives where ambition has failed.
Busybodies are naturally envious. A person deeply involved in their own affairs rarely has time to dwell on others’ success, but someone fixated on other people’s lives cannot help but compare and judge. Envy thrives on idle curiosity, as noted by the saying, “He who is curious is also malicious.”
People born into privilege often resent those who rise from humble beginnings. When others succeed, the privileged sometimes feel as though their own status is diminished, even though nothing has been taken from them. It’s a trick of perception, like an optical illusion where another’s progress seems like your own retreat.
The envious also include those with physical or societal disadvantages—such as the deformed, the aged, or the illegitimate—unless they possess extraordinary character. Great individuals often turn their disadvantages into sources of pride. For example, Narses, the eunuch, and Tamerlane, the lame conqueror, turned their perceived weaknesses into legendary achievements, earning admiration rather than pity.
Those who rebound from hardship often harbor envy toward others. Misfortune can sour a person’s outlook, making them resentful of those who seem untouched by struggle. Similarly, people who dabble in many pursuits often find themselves envious. Their vanity drives them to excel at everything, but the sheer impossibility of this ensures they will always meet rivals more talented in certain areas, as Emperor Hadrian envied poets, painters, and artisans.
Finally, envy burns brightest among equals. Family members, colleagues, and childhood friends often resent each other’s successes because these achievements serve as constant reminders of their own perceived shortcomings. Cain’s envy of Abel stemmed from this same dynamic, made worse because no audience witnessed their rivalry. Envy grows sharper when it is amplified by public opinion or gossip.
Turning now to those who are envied, we find that exceptional virtue, when combined with success, attracts less envy. When greatness feels deserved, people see it as justice, not favoritism. However, comparison is the root of envy, so those who rise without clear merit—unworthy individuals—face intense scrutiny early in their success. Conversely, deserving individuals often face greater envy over time, as their accomplishments fade into the background and newer rivals emerge.
People born into privilege or noble families are less envied because their success is seen as their birthright. Gradual advancement also attracts less envy than sudden leaps, much like a gentle slope is less scorched by the sun than a steep incline.
Effort, struggle, and sacrifice lessen envy as well. When people see the hard work behind someone’s achievements, they are more likely to pity than resent them. For this reason, wise leaders often present their lives as burdensome, complaining of sleepless nights or overwhelming responsibilities—not necessarily because they feel this way, but to diffuse envy. Still, ambition is a double-edged sword: those who hoard opportunities or flaunt their success provoke resentment.
The proud and arrogant are the most envied. Their constant need to showcase their wealth, power, or victories fans the flames of jealousy. A wiser approach is to allow oneself small defeats in unimportant matters, appearing humble and approachable. Transparency, without arrogance, attracts less envy than manipulation or deceit, which signal insecurity and invite suspicion.
Finally, envy is like witchcraft, and the cure is similar: redirect it elsewhere. Savvy leaders often deflect envy onto subordinates, colleagues, or scapegoats who willingly bear the burden in exchange for power or recognition. This tactic keeps envy from festering too close to the source.
Public envy, unlike private envy, serves a useful purpose. It acts as a check on excessive power, much like the ancient practice of ostracism, which temporarily exiled overly influential citizens. Public envy keeps leaders accountable and prevents them from overstepping their bounds. However, it can also poison a state, turning even good actions into subjects of suspicion and criticism.
Envy directed at high-ranking officials often masks deeper resentment toward the system itself. When ministers are universally envied, it is likely that the people’s true discontent lies with the government as a whole. Thus, public envy serves as a mirror, reflecting the health of a society.
Envy is relentless, gnawing away at its victims without pause. It is a disease of the mind, corrosive and consuming, much like the devil, who sows discord under the cover of darkness. For those seeking greatness, envy is both an enemy and a teacher—one that must be understood, managed, and, when possible, turned to advantage.
Bacon Blueprint 