The art of rhetoric, with A discourse of the laws of England by Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury.

CHAP. XII.

of Envy.

ENvy is grief, for the prosperity of such as our selves, arising not from any hurt that we, but from the good that they re∣ceive.

Such as our selves, I call those that are equal to us in blood, in age, in abilities, in glory, or in means.

They are apt to Envy,

That are within a little of the highest.

And those that are extraordinarily ho∣noured for some quality that is singular in them, especially Wisdom or good Fortune.

And such as would be thought wise.

And such as catch at glory in every acti∣on.

And Men of poor spirits: for every thing appears great to them.

The things which Men Envy in others are,

Such as bring Glory.

And goods of Fortune.

And such things as we desire for our selves.

And things in the possession whereof we exceed others, or they us a little.

Obnoxious to Envy are,

Men of our own time, of our own Coun∣trey, of our own Age, and Competitors of our Glory.

And therefore,

Those whom we strive with for Honour.

And those that covet the same things that we do.

And those that get quickly, what we hardly obtain, or not at all.

And those that attain unto, or do the things that turn to our reproach, not being done by us.

And those that possess what we have possessed heretofore. So old and decayed Men Envy the young and lusty.

And those that have bestowed little, are subject to be Envyed by such as have be∣stowed much upon the same thing.

From the contraries of these may be de∣rived the Principles concerning Joy for o∣ther Mens hurt.

He therefore that would not have his E∣nemy prevail, when he craves pity, or other favour; must dispose the Judge to Envy;

and make his Adversary appear such, as are above described, to be subject to the Envy of others.