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Overwhelming and astounding inequality, especially when it has an element of the unattainable, arouses far less envy than minimal inequality, which inevitably causes the envious to think: I might have been in his place.

— Helmut Schoeck Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior (1987)

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More quotes by Helmut Schoeck

To many, the desire to overcome their envy may have been a genuine incentive for positive achievements, and hence have led to satisfaction in a sense of achievement.

Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior (1987)

I have no doubt that one of the most important motives for joining an egalitarian political movement is this anxious sense of guilt: ‘Let us set up a society in which no one is envious.’

Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior (1987)

The best means of protection against the envy of a neighbor is to drive a Rolls-Royce instead of a car only slightly better than his...overwhelming and astounding inequality arouses far less envy than minimal inequality.

Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior (1987)

Proverbs in many languages agree that the greatest damage done by the envious man is to himself. Envy is described as an utterly destructive, uncreative and even diseased state of mind for which there is no remedy.

Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior (1987)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Helmut Schoeck (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.