William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Part II |
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| Of Envy |
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| 80. It is the Mark of an ill Nature, to lessen good Actions, and aggravate ill Ones. | 1 |
| 81. Some men do as much begrutch others a good Name, as they want one themselves; and perhaps that is the Reason of it. | 2 |
| 82. But certainly they are in the Wrong, that can think they are lessened, because others have their Due. | 3 |
| 83. Such People generally have less Merit than Ambition, that Covet the Reward of other Men’s; and to be sure a very ill Nature, that will rather Rob others of their Due, than allow them their Praise. | 4 |
| 84. It is more an Error of our Will, than our Judgment: For we know it to be an Effect of our Passion, not our Reason; and therefore we are the more culpable in our Partial Estimates. | 5 |
| 85. It is as Envious as Unjust, to underrate another’s Actions where their intrinsick Worth recommends them to disengaged Minds. | 6 |
| 86. Nothing shews more the Folly, as well as Fraud of Man, than Clipping of Merit and Reputation. | 7 |
| 87. And as some Men think it an Allay to themselves, that others have their Right; so they know no End of Pilfering to raise their own Credit. | 8 |
| 88. This Envy is the Child of Pride and Misgives, rather than Mistakes. | 9 |
| 89. It will have Charity, to be Ostentation; Sobriety, Covetousness; Humility, Craft; Bounty, Popularity: In short, Virtue must be Design, and Religion, only Interest. Nay, the best of Qualities must not pass without a BUT to allay their Merit and abate their Praise. Basest of Tempers! and they that have them, the Worst of Men! | 10 |
| 90. But Just and Noble Minds Rejoice in other Men’s Success, and help to augment their Praise. | 11 |
| 91. And indeed they are not without a Love to Virtue, that take a Satisfaction in seeing her Rewarded, and such deserve to share her Character that do abhor to lessen it. | 12 |
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