OF ENVY 19 



honour of a miracle ; as it was in Narses the eunuch, and 

 Agesilaus and Tamberlanes, that were lame men. 



The same is the case of men that rise after calamities 

 and misfortunes. For they are as men fallen out with the 

 times ; and think other men's harms a redemption of their 

 own sufferings. 



They that desire to excel in too many matters, out of 

 levity and vain glory, are ever envious. For they cannot 

 want work ; it being impossible but many in some one 

 of those things should surpass them. Which was the 

 character of Adrian the Emperor ; that mortally envied 

 poets and painters and artificers, in works wherein he had 

 a vein to excel. 



Lastly, near kinsfolks, and fellows in office, and those 

 that have been bred together, are more apt to envy their 

 equals when they are raised. For it doth upbraid unto 

 them their own fortunes, and pointeth at them, and cometh 

 oftener into their remembrance, and incurreth likewise 

 more into the note of others ; and envy ever redoubleth 

 from speech and fame. Cain's envy was the more vile 

 and malignant towards his brother Abel, because when 

 his sacrifice was better accepted there was no body to look 

 on. Thus much for those that are apt to envy. 



Concerning those that are more or less subject to envy : 

 First, persons of eminent virtue, when they are advanced, 

 are less envied. For their fortune seemeth but due unto 

 them; and no man envieth the payment of a debt, but 

 rewards and liberality rather. Again, envy is ever joined 

 with the comparing of a man's self; and where there is no 

 comparison, no envy ; and therefore kings are not envied 

 but by kings. Nevertheless it is to be noted that unworthy 

 persons are most envied at their first coming in, and after- 

 wards overcome it better ; whereas contrariwise, persons of 

 worth and merit are most envied when their fortune con- 

 tinueth long. For by that time, though their virtue be the 

 same, yet it hath not the same lustre ; for fresh men grow 

 up that darken it. 



Persons of noble blood are less envied in their rising. 

 For it seemeth but right done to their birth. Besides, 



