Jealousy, disquiet of the soul, causing it to envy the glory, happiness and talents of others. This passion is so similar in its nature and effects to envy, its sister, that they appear to coincide. It seems to me however that by envy we only consider the good insofar as another enjoys it, and which we desire for ourselves, whereas jealousy concerns our own good, which we are afraid to lose, or which we fear another might share. We envy someone else’s authority; we are jealous of the authority we possess.

Jealousy does not only reign in individuals, but also in entire nations, between whom it sometimes erupts with the worst possible violence. It results from rivalry for position, in trade, the arts, talents and religion.

Concerning jealousy in love, that burning fever that devours the peoples of regions scorched by the influences of the sun, and which is not unknown in our temperate climates, we believe it should have an article in its own right. ( Jaucourt )

Jealousy , in the latter sense, is the stormy disposition of a person in love, who fears that the object of his love might share her heart, feelings and everything else he claims should be reserved for him. The smallest thing she does alarms him, and he sees in her most ordinary actions the sure signs of the misfortune he fears so much. He lives in suspicion and makes the other person live in torment and constraint.

This cruel and petty passion is the sign we mistrust our own merit, and is the confession of the superiority of a rival. It commonly hastens the evil it is afraid of.

Few men and few women are exempt from jealousy ; elegant lovers are afraid to admit it, and it causes married people embarrassment.

It is above all the madness of old men, who confess their own inadequacy, and of the inhabitants of hot countries, who know the ardent temperament of their women.

Jealousy crushes the feet of women in China, and sacrifices their freedom in almost all the countries of the east.