1 8 BACON'S ESSAYS 



ledged, in the act of envy, an ejaculation or irradiation of 

 the eye. Nay some have been so curious as to note, that 

 the times when the stroke or percussion of an envious eye 

 doth most hurt, are when the party envied is beheld in 

 glory or triumph ; for that sets an edge upon envy : and 

 besides, at such times the spirits of the person envied do 

 come forth most into the outward parts, and so meet the 

 blow. 



But leaving these curiosities, (though not unworthy to 

 be thought on in fit place,) we will handle, what persons 

 are apt to envy others ; what persons are most subject to 

 be envied themselves ; and what is the difference between 

 public and private envy. 



A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth 

 virtue in others. For men's minds will either feed upon 

 their own good or upon others' evil; and who wanteth 

 the one will prey upon the other ; and whoso is out of 

 hope to attain to another's virtue, will seek to come at 

 even hand by depressing another's fortune. 



A man that is busy and inquisitive is commonly envious. 

 For to know much of other men's matters cannot be 

 because all that ado may concern his own estate ; therefore 

 it must needs be that he taketh a kind of play-pleasure in 

 looking upon the fortunes of others. Neither can he that 

 mindeth but his own business find much matter for envy. 

 For envy is a gadding passion, and walketh the streets, 

 and doth not keep home Non est curiosus, quin idem sit 

 malevolus. 



Men of noble birth are noted to be envious towards 

 new men when they rise. For the distance is altered ; and 

 it is like a deceit of the eye, that when others come on 

 they think themselves go back. 



Deformed persons, and eunuchs, and old men, and 

 bastards, are envious. For he that cannot possibly mend 

 his own case will do what he can to impair another's ; 

 except these defects light upon a very brave and heroical 

 nature, which thinketh to make his natural wants part 

 of his honour ; in that it should be said, that an eunuch, 

 or a lame man, did such great matters; affecting the 



