Envy is very different from jealousy. Jealousy can be healthy, when driven by the right motivation and when channeled with righteousness. Envy is a self-destructive emotion that encourages a HUGE flaw in human behavior. Envy is when someone tries to sabotage another; when someone else seems to get the upper hand or when someone is more liked or more given advantage/supported for obvious reasons. It is curious sometimes, that envy is usually exhibited by those closer to you while most people support and celebrate the other's successes, they (envious people) try to sabotage in the guise of 'helping'. (to make themselves feel better)
Envy is a way for someone with huge insecurities to channel those emotions through their supposed dislike for someone's success. It is really not that they have a problem with the one they envy, but rather they have a problem with themselves. They don't really dislike the person they envy but they actually like them to the point that they end up disliking them. It sure doesn't help them any, when they alienate themselves through their offensive actions. It is sometimes a cry for help, but they would never see it as such unless they themselves admit their envy and seek recovery by self-reflection. They are also very easy to spot, just look around.
I dislike envy, I don't hate envious people, but envy is one of my pet peeves. It may be something all of us may be guilty of and a victim of from time to time. Just don't let envy be the reason for your actions.
I saw something interesting in wikipedia:
"Envy" and "
jealousy" are often used interchangeably, but in correct usage they stand for two different distinct emotions. In proper usage, jealousy is the fear of losing something that one possesses to another person (a loved one in the prototypical form), while envy is the pain or frustration caused by another person having something that one does not have oneself.
Envy typically involves two people, and jealousy typically involves three people.. It is possible to be envious at more than one individual at any given time. Usually envy involves wanting the beauty, wealth, or socioeconomic status of another individual. Envy and jealousy result from different situations and are distinct emotional experiences. Both envy and jealousy are etymologically related to
schadenfreude, the rejoicing at, or taking joy in, or getting pleasure from the misfortunes of others
I tend to think jealousy as one mostly bred out of emotion (jealousy as in jealous because of a former boyfriend, or on someone you know but would never hurt) of fear of losing, while envy is more on the what the person is; that they see themselves superior though they have low self-esteem; they also want someone's else's fortunes. The envious can also be to more than one person. Not sure, but that is how I look at.
Yes, almost all emotion can be channeled in both good and bad ways; and there is a very thin line. I think the key is self-refection and to know the limits of each emotion. Knowing yourself is the key, after all how can one supercede their flaws when they deny them? Thanks, Adri, I enjoyed writing this too!
I definitely agree with you that the key is "self-reflection." I don't know if we can ever know the limits of each emotion, though.
Very fun and interesting discussion, William! We be philosophers now. ;)