Happiness and the Social Instincts 355 



ness of life, and, therefore, in all these cases pro- 

 duces a diminution of happiness. 



Envy is immoral because it causes those who 

 experience it to siiifer. Emulation, however, is not 

 immoral even though it proceeds from an impulse 

 related to envy, because it is different in its nature. 

 The person who is envious suffers from seeing in 

 the possession of another an advantage which he 

 himself does not possess. The person animated 

 by emulation does not experience the evil feeling 

 in regard to the individual who possesses a good 

 which he does not possess, but on the contrary 

 he attempts to procure this same good or a still 

 greater good if it is possible. In the desire to sur- 

 pass his neighbour he does not experience any 

 suffering, but, on the contrary, a greater intensifica- 

 tion of mental activity, and therefore enjoyment. 

 This is why envy is immoral and emulation is not. 



Among the moral qualities which are most 

 precious are always arrayed the following: gentle- 

 ness, benevolence, kindness. However, it is easy 

 to demonstrate that if these qualities are so prized 

 it is because they bring with them the greatest 

 happiness. The gift of inspiring sympathy is the 

 greatest which exists in human personality. He 

 who knows how to make himself loved is a king 

 upon earth, he obtains all that he desires, he brings 

 all under his rule. And this is true not only of 

 individuals, but still more of collectivities. 



What greater happiness can be found upon earth 

 than to be loved? However, that which procures 



