论嫉妒

There be none of the affections, which have been noted¹ to fascinate or bewitch（施魔法，蛊惑）, but love and envy. They both have vehement²（激烈的） wishes; they frame themselves readily into imaginations and suggestions; and they come easily into the eye, especially upon the present of the objects; which are the points that conduce to fascination³, if any such thing there be. We see likewise, the Scripture⁴ calleth envy an evil eye; and the astrologers（占星家）, call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects; so that still there seemeth to be acknowledged, in the act of envy, an ejaculation or irradiation of the eye. Nay⁵, some have been so curious, as to note, that the times when the stroke or percussion⁶ of an envious⁷ eye doth most hurt, are when the party envied is beheld⁸ in glory or triumph; for that sets an edge upon envy: and besides, at such times the spirits of the person envied, do come forth⁹ most into the outward parts, and so meet the blow.

 

But leaving these curiosities (though not unworthy to be thought on, in fit place), we will handle, what persons are apt to envy others; what  persons are most subject to be envied themselves; and what is the difference between public and private envy.

 

A man that hath no virtue¹⁰ in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For men's minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil; and who wanteth the one, will prey¹¹ upon the other; and whoso is out of hope, to attain¹² to another's virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another's fortune.

 

A man that is busy, and inquisitive¹³（好奇的）, is commonly envious. For to know much of other men's matters, cannot be because all that ado may concern his own estate; therefore it must needs be, that he taketh a kind of play-pleasure, in looking upon the fortunes of others.  Neither can he, that mindeth but his own business, find much matter for envy. For envy is a gadding¹⁴ passion, and walketh the streets, and doth not keep home: Non est curiosus, quin idem sit malevolus.

 

Men of noble birth, are noted to be envious towards new men, when they rise.  For the distance is altered, and it is like a deceit（欺骗） of the eye, that when others come on, they think themselves, go back.

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