Envy is the most unnatural and unaccountable of all the passions. There
is scarce any other emotion of the mind, however unreasonable, but may
have something said in excuse for it; and there are many of these
weaknesses of the soul, which, notwithstanding the wrongness and
irregularity of them, swell the heart, while they last, with pleasure
and gladness. But the envious man has no such apology as this to make;
the stronger the passion is, the greater torment he endures; and
subjects himself to a continual real pain, by only wishing ill to
others. Revenge is sweet, though cruel and inhuman; and though it
sometimes thirsts even for blood, yet may be glutted and satiated.
Avarice is something highly monstrous and absurd; yet, as it is a desire
after riches, every little acquisition gives it pleasure; and to behold
and feel the hoarded treasure, to a covetous man, is a constant
uncloying enjoyment. But envy, which is an anxiety arising in our minds,
upon our observing accomplishments in others which we want ourselves,
can never receive any true comfort, unless in a deluge, a conflagration,
a plague, or some general calamity that should befal mankind: for, as
long as there is a creature living, that enjoys its being happily within
the envious man's sphere, it will afford nourishment to his distempered
mind; but such nourishment as will make him pine, and fret, and emaciate
himself to nothing.