FROM How to Root Out Hidden Faults by Fr. James F. McElhone:

ENVY IS THE FEELING of sadness which we experience in contemplating the prosperity of others, in so far as we regard this prosperity to be our own loss. There is no question that we do have temptations to envy. We are somewhat inclined to rejoice at the failures of others and to be sad at their success. Others achieve riches, honors, dignities, renown, reputation, praise, applause, success; we see what they have accomplished and we are tempted to envy. Others have qualities of mind and through their use become more or less successful, and we are tempted to envy. Others have qualities of soul and reach certain or higher degrees of holiness, and we are tempted to envy. It should be remembered that what those others have, we regard as our own loss. It is hard for us to rejoice whole-heartedly at the success of others; it is easy for us to feel glad at their failures.

Envy will try to show itself in some of the following ways:

Do | feel sad at the prosperity of others?

At their success in games? In athletics?

Do | rejoice at their failures?

Do | envy the riches of others?

Do | envy their honors? dignities? power? renown? reputation? Do | envy the applause given to them?

Do | envy another’s intellectual qualities?

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