The Oxford definition of envy is a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by another's better fortune (Allen 392). The focus of the seven deadly sins is based on religious thought. Envy is defined religiously as" thou shall not covet." According to the Roman Catholic catechisms envy is considered a "venial" sin, but it would need to be confessed. Thus, if an individual commits a venial sin and does not confess, one would have to spend time in purgatory before entering heaven (Matusiak). Kevin J. Rice states that the Methodist position that envy is an emotion and that it is the feeling of glee that a person has. Accordingly the individual does not envy an object but envies the people who use the object. One instance would be," I am not envious of a Corvette; I am envious of a person who owns a Corvette because I would like the emotions of glee, power, and speed that come with driving it" (Rice). Analyzing the word origin, the term envy is the Latin word invidere, which meant to look at askance or to see with malice. The Latin root word comes from the Greek, eidos, meaning form or idea (Iyer). .
In the twentieth century Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalytical theory, defined envy as a major characteristic of emotional distress. His classic example is the Electra theory in which younger girls envied the male penis and thus felt inadequate throughout their lifetime. Freud's position was based upon Judaic thought and the culture of his time in the nineteenth century Austria (Sigmund). .
Throughout recorded history are many incidences of groups, religions, and nations who envy each other. Spain in the sixteenth century was probably the richest of the European nations after they looted the Americans of billions in gold. They were constantly at war, their ships were plundered, and their treasures were scattered to the Holy Roman Empire (Zevin 367).
Currently, the poorer Muslim nations of the world detest the wealth and power of the western nations.
The word "envy" came from the Latin word "invidere". ... For example, old men envy younger men; those who have spent much envy those who have spent little on the same thing; and men who have not got a thing, or not got it yet, envy those who have got it quickly. ... Hence he will envy those who became rich quickly. ... And it is also clear what kind of people we envy. ... At the root of envy are selfishness and pride. ...
As technology increases, enviness increases amongst consumers. ... This problem causes envy. ... However, envy can cause hatred and violence. ... Envy can be prevented if we try to control our desires. For example, a child who has cancer may envy a healthy, lively boy; while a man with a Honda is envying his friend's BMW. ...
Envy, no one word covers so many different emotions. The word envy according to the dictionary is a feeling of discontent or resentment for someone else's possessions or advantages. ... Envy has led people to hate, resent, even kill other human beings because they have been dealt a better hand in life. ... When someone thinks of envy the first thing that comes to mind is the envy of physical possessions or money. ... Envy of physical possessions is probably a feeling that every person ever born has had to deal with. ...
Finny and Gene both envy each other's success. Finny envy's Gene's intelligence and Gene envy's Finny's athletic ability. When finny finds out Gene wants to be valedictorian, Finny jokingly says "I'd kill myself out of jealous envy" (Knowles 44) that's when Gene realizes the envy is mutual. ...
Benign envy may inspire personal growth and achievement. ... The workers may use benign envy as motivation. ... For some, envy is all about relative status. They desire the envy of others. ... Envy is not good or bad. ...
Regina Barreca's "Envy" grabbed my attention as she illustrated the ways envy manifests itself. ... Barreca demonstrates how envy resides in all of us. ... The pastor of my church preached a sermon about envy several months ago and pointed out the destructiveness of envying other people. ... She declares, "Envy grows poor because others gain wealth; Envy grows sick because others are healthy; Envy grows gaunt watching others eat" (6). ... But, is envy ever satisfied? ...
Envy and jealousy are often used as synonyms. ... Although they seem the same, envy and jealousy are actually distinct. ... Jealousy is a stronger and more unpleasant feeling than envy. For example, Jay's new job sounds very nice Jane is full of envy. ... Unlike envy, jealousy is a more intense feeling than envy. ...
Of all seven deadly sins, envy probably has the worst effects on both the envier and the envied. Often, envy is brought on by another sin. ... Envy tears its victim apart and then causes further sins. ... After hearing Joseph's dreams of his future place in government, the brothers" envy grows stronger. ... Stories of envy have consistently been written about brothers. ...
In Raymond Carver's short story, "Neighbors"," Bill and Arlene desire the life that their next door neighbors Jim and Harriet Stone live. Soon enough, their desire for the Stones' comfortable life makes them unhappy with their own. Throughout the short story, Bill and Arlene attempt to eliminate the...