Joseph Epstein wrote a book called Envy, where he discusses the classic seven deadly sins, including envy. He argues that envy is the worst sin to be accused of because it makes you look small and petty. He states that envy is also a terrible sin because it sucks all the joy out of life, unlike other sins which have some pleasure.
Most of us could still sleep decently if accused of anger or pride or lust or even greed. But to be accused of envy would be by far the worst. So clearly does such an accusation go directly to charact...
— Episode: The Evil of Envy
Episode: The Evil of Envy
Joseph Epstein wrote a book called Envy, where he discusses the classic seven deadly sins, including envy. He argues that envy is the worst sin to be accused of because it makes you look small and petty. He states that envy is also a terrible sin because it sucks all the joy out of life, unlike other sins which have some pleasure.
Most of us could still sleep decently if accused of anger or pride or lust or even greed. But to be accused of envy would be by far the worst. So clearly does such an accusation go directly to character. The other sins, though all have the disapproval of religion, do not so thoroughly, deeply demean, diminish and disqualify a person.
Only envy is absolutely no fun at all. Draining all joy from you from its very first moment, we have all felt envy's desperate, deep, soul-destroying, lacerating stabs.
Envy might be the greatest Rorschach test of all. Learn what you envy and you will know who you are.
If you understand what you envy, you'll understand your own heart.