Envy

Envy spoils. We desire something good in another and must destroy it, unlike the greedy and the jealous who seek to possess it. Envy is in the vandal who defaces the only thing of beauty in a wasteland; in the patient who would rather suffer than admit his neediness by accepting help. We all experience envy, but excessive envy denies what is good, closes down opportunity and deadens us. Conversely, a preponderance of gratitude embraces life with both its challenges and joys, and relishes the good in others. Envy spoils what we secretly desire, and in so doing spoils ourselves.