Envy Information: We explain what envy is according to the perspectives of psychoanalysis, morality, and religion. We also explain what the other deadly sins are. Please read other MTV articles for more information. If you share it, it will be of little help to us.
What is envy?
According to the dictionary, envy is discomfort or pain at the joy of another, that is, the feeling of regret for not having or receiving something that corresponds to another, and for which one feels a resentful desire. It is a feeling similar to jealousy.
Envy is a common feeling in human life, both when envying and when being envied. It is generally considered one of the most negative and unworthy emotions possible, as it destroys any form of affection or love between people. Must Read About Gluttony Once.
Envious people devote a significant amount of time and energy to observing the lives of others, as well as to making malicious comments or defaming others, because deep down, it would bring them joy to witness the failure of the person they envy.
In psychoanalytic terms, envy is considered a feeling capable of damaging joy and self-esteem, given that the envious person is constantly contemplating the work of others. For this reason, envy is also insatiable, because no matter how much they achieve or have for themselves, the envious person will always find new subjects to envy in other ways, because their dissatisfaction stems, ultimately, from within themselves.
For its part, Western moral and religious tradition has condemned envy to the lowest of human emotions. The envious person is incapable of celebrating or sharing the joys of others, that is, he or she is incapable of feeling the love for one’s neighbor preached by Jesus Christ. For this reason, doctrines such as Catholicism consider it among the capital sins, that is, the most serious and fundamental sins.
According to the religious tradition of the Middle Ages, the sin of envy corresponded to the sea demon Leviathan. In Christian iconography, she is often depicted as an ancient female ghost with snakes on her head and hands, and one biting her breast. She is also sometimes shown destroying or devouring a heart, alongside one or more dogs. Must Read About Pride Once.
Other Capital Sins
According to Catholic tradition, seven sins are considered capital or mortal, as they engender all other possible sins. Aside from envy, these include:
- Pride, understood as the excess of self-love that leads a person to put themselves in the place of God, and therefore to violate His standards and engender other sins. For this reason, it is considered the supreme sin of all.
- Anger, understood as excessive or uncontrollable rage, whether toward others or toward oneself, which can lead to violence.
- Gluttony, understood as the uncontrollable love of food and drink, which leads the individual to drink and/or eat to excess, beyond what is necessary to sustain oneself. It is the sin contrary to all forms of moderation.
- Lust, understood as an uncontrollable, insatiable, and uncontrollable sexual desire that respects no limits and leads to harm toward oneself or others.
- Greed, understood as the excessive love of accumulating property and possessions, as well as money. The miser is someone who possesses more than they need and still denies others access to those resources, even knowing that they need or deserve them more than they do.
- Laziness, understood as the lack of will and dedication to ensure one’s own sustenance, that is, to look after one’s own existence and well-being. Those who commit this sin contradict the divine command to take care of themselves and disrespect the gift of life that God gave them.
Must Read About Lust Once.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, which ensure reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- Envy on Wikipedia.
- Deadly Sins on Wikipedia.
- Envy in the Dictionary of the Spanish Language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- Seven Deadly Sins in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
