IndexSources of EnvyInfluence of EnvyHow to Control EnvyWorks CitedEnvy is much more than an annoying emotion. Some psychologists believe that envy is an emotion that exists from the beginning of life (i.e. it is innate) and must be controlled. Personally I believe it is an emotion that everyone possesses but to which no one admits. People readily admit other emotions like anxiety, depression, inferiority, etc., but envy? We don't admit it, not even to ourselves. But above all, we keep our envy a secret from the person we envy. No one I have ever known has profited from envy. On the other hand, many have been cursed with envy. Remember the biblical Cain? He killed his brother Abel out of envy. And what about Joseph? He was sold by his brothers out of envy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay What really is envy? Envy is a bitter feeling that arises when we see that another person has something that we don't have but would like to have. This feeling makes one want to see the envied person hurt, dishonored, or toppled from their position. Envy is like a cancer that slowly takes hold of man's thoughts, so much so that “the envious person feels that the fortunes of others are his misfortunes; their profit his loss; their blessing, his ruin; their health, his illness; their promotion, his demotion; their success, his failure.” It should be noted that envy is not the same as comparison. Envy involves making comparisons, but comparing is not always envy. A man can compare himself and his successes to those of another man and still not feel envious. Technically speaking, envy also comes from scolding, lusting, emulating, and feeling jealous, although these concepts are related, often used together, and sometimes used synonymously. Sources of Envy Some psychologists believe that envy is a learned characteristic that children acquire early in life. First of all, envy is particularly widespread in people who feel like failures. When a person tries something and doesn't succeed as he hoped, he becomes envious of other people who have succeeded. Secondly, envy is almost always an expression of inferiority. Consciously or unconsciously, the envious person considers himself inferior to other men and does not like to be in this position. Inferiority is often accompanied by the belief that we have been deprived of something we rightly deserve. Influence of envy Affects entire societies. It affects our way of thinking, so much so that we look for flaws in people we envy and rejoice when they fail. It influences the way we speak and leads us to gossip, criticize and spread rumors that can damage another's position. It affects our feelings. Our feelings are now characterized by meanness, revenge, crime, violence and even murder or suicide. It's clear that envy can hinder our getting along with other people. What's worse is that envy separates us from God. God resents envy! How to Control Envy First, understand the nature of envy. Understanding is a critical step in dealing with any problem. When we know what envy is, why it arises, and how it affects us, we can be more alert to its dangers, more aware of its scope, and better able to free it from our lives. Second, we can address envy by recognizing its extent. prevalence. Envy is a universal attitude. Everyone struggles with envy. We might even face this fact, agree that we are not unique or particularly, 49(5), 454-459.