Harmful Effects of Envy

Dear Child,

Envy and hatred are robber twins. They are like insect pests that infest the roots of trees. These insects work their way into the roots of trees that grow tall and green, radiantly charming, crowning themselves with blossoms and bearing luscious fruits. They multiply and flourish unseen until the beautiful tree is totally destroyed. In the same manner, when these twin thieves—envy and hatred gain entry into the individual, his fall becomes, from that very moment, his unavoidable fate. His virtues, earned and treasured during years of exertion are reduced to ashes in a matter of moments. Man has no enemy more dangerous than envy. The forms that envy assumes and the tactics it adopts are indeed amazingly varied. It operates on its own, often without motive and without desiring any benefit. 

A victim of envy can never tolerate any one seen doing work better than he can do. The flames of envy rise high when he sees another studying more and securing promotion to the higher class. He cannot bear even for a moment, another person earning fame greater than his own. He hates households where the members of the family live harmoniously, happy and contented, with no friction among themselves. Envy and hatred which breed such undesirable traits will be awaiting opportunities to thrive in the heart of man. So, everyone has to make an all-out effort to keep away from jealousy and fear, which ripen into envy and hatred. Youth, especially, must avoid these two arch-devils, driving them into the far distance. Then only can life be worthwhile.

Envy constricts the vision. A broad vision is an essential equipment for man. Therefore, everyone must seek to enlarge his vision through love. Be glad when you come across people more learned or more intelligent, more skilled or more active in good works, or endowed with greater renown than your own. Envy persuades you to condemn the good as really bad. Therefore, you have to escape from its clutches. Try earnestly to earn higher renown for yourself. Study more thoroughly and win greater academic honours. Engage yourselves in more difficult activities and become more famous. That is the duty you owe yourself.

Without discharging this duty, why suffer anguish at the heights others have reached or at the fame they have attained? Praising oneself and defaming others are both equally bad. It can never add to your credit, however long you boast about yourself or however much you may belittle others! Both are big blemishes on your status as man.

Some men indulge in slander; they consider others as useless and beneath notice. They degrade and distort even the good qualities that others have. It is not only the illiterate who resort to such tactics and relish this type of meanness but also those who pride themselves as big scholars and those who pride their non-attachment to worldly things. Their scholarship has left their emotions untouched; they have not had any cultural impact. However learned a man may be, he will harbour evil traits in his character unless he has been shaped by culture. A cart load of fuel can be turned into ash in a trice by a tiny spark of fire. A single drop of poison can render a pot of milk, a dangerous waste. A scholar might have mastered many branches of knowledge or he may be occupying a high position of authority, but if a feeble inkling of envy has entered his heart, his life is ruined. Therefore, we have to be vigilant throughout our life. When we admit envy into the heart, it brings in its companions—sloth, conceit, anger and selfishness. These evils poison the very bloodstream and ultimately reduce the individual into a despicable outcast. 

It is indeed difficult to earn a good name, whereas, a bad name can be acquired easily in an instant. That does not mean that a bad name is preferable. Every effort must be directed towards winning a good name for oneself. For this, the best rule is: ‘Cultivate Love and seek to recognize in others only the good that is in them.’ Those who are ruled by envy will lose their self confidence also. They may pretend to be confident of their capabilities but they really have no faith in themselves. For, if one has self-confidence, there will be no room at all for envy to enter the heart.

Envy is rooted in selfishness. So, everyone must bid farewell to that evil quality. In truth, learning, riches, positions of power are all as ephemeral as bubbles on water or as clouds that pass. To be proud of them and to base one’s claim for appreciation and admiration on them is to demonstrate that one is more dead than alive. Your duty is to wish bon voyage to envy and egoism and at the same time, to accord a hearty welcome to peace and love. Bury the feeling that you are too weak to accomplish this task. Invite the attitude of unity to reside in your heart. Today, this quality has to be carefully cultivated by students who are the future citizens of Bharath. If they do not, the nation is bound to suffer ruin. 

They should not surrender slavishly to purposeless upsurges of emotion, or to the impulse to exhibit baseless authority or the desire to parade insufferable bravado. They must learn to live simple natural lives with their fellowmen and be happy in an atmosphere of equality. They must discard the prejudices that separate them from others—whether arising from caste or creed or differences of age. They must share the joys and sorrows of life in order to foster the sense of equality. Thus, they can ensure peace, prosperity and security.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba