Envy Is Invincible

Envy is invincible. Perhaps, among all human feelings, only envy has this absolutely inflexible character. We could observe it from two points of view: that of the one who exercises it, and that of the one who suffers it. The envious person is a slave to this feeling which, if not stimulated, arises and strengthens spontaneously. Even if he wants to overcome it, he cannot do so without disfiguring himself; therefore, the most he can do is to engage in a continuous combat, and continue despite of defeats. As for the envied, that is, the patient of envy, what can he do? This one, no doubt, finds himself even more powerless in the face of the problem, and it seems that no action he may take will be able to annul it. He may resort to contempt, which is a reasonable solution, and will only deviate from the natural discomfort he is experiencing, but will never defeat the agent. In short: the difference, in both perspectives, seems to be simply reduced to two postures: that of those who incite, and that of those who avoid envy; in both cases, a difference of character only, not of results.