This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
How can we explain the perpetuity of envy - a vice which yields no return?
Abraham ben Moses ben Maimon, aka Rabbi Avraham Maimuni, aka Rabbeinu Avraham ben ha-Rambam NULL
Anger an arrogance are partners. Inner feelings of conceit lead a person to become angry. Conversely, humility leads to forgiveness.
Anger | Arrogance | Character | Feelings | Forgiveness | Humility |
The regeneration of a sinner is an evidence of power in the highest sphere - moral nature; with the highest prerogative - to change nature; and operating to the highest result - not to create originally, which is great; but to create anew, which is greater.
Faith without evidence is, properly, not faith, but prejudice or presumption; faith beyond evidence is superstition, and faith contrary to evidence is either insanity or willful perversity of mind.
Character | Evidence | Faith | Insanity | Mind | Prejudice | Presumption | Superstition |
Emulation admires and strives to imitate great actions; envy is only moved to malice.
Miguel de Cervantes, fully Miguel de Cervantes Saaversa
If thou takes virtue for the rule of life, and valuest thyself upon acting in all things comfortably thereto, thou wilt have no cause to envy lords and princes; for blood is inherited, but virtue is common property and may be acquired by all; it has, moreover, an intrinsic worth, which blood has not.
Cause | Character | Envy | Life | Life | Property | Rule | Virtue | Virtue | Worth |
Envy is such a part of many people’s personalities that it is not reasonable to expect them to completely eradicate this trait. Rather, they should channel it in a positive direction. Let them envy those with wisdom so they will try to gain more wisdom.
John Chrysostom, fully Saint John Chrysostom
As a moth gnaws a garment, so doth envy consume a man.
Charles de Saint-Évremond, fully Charles Marguetel de Saint-Denis, seigneur de Évremond
The censure of those that are opposed to us is the nicest commendation that can be given us.
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.
We should not be too hasty in bestowing either our praise or censure on mankind, since we shall often find such a mixture of good and evil in the same character, that it may require a very accurate judgment and a very elaborate inquiry to determine on which side the balance turns.
Balance | Censure | Character | Evil | Good | Inquiry | Judgment | Mankind | Praise |
Charles Montagu Halifax, 1st Earl of Halifax, Lord Halifax
Malice may be sometimes out of breath, envy never.