For we cannot stand in one another’s way; or by enjoying our true good, keep another from his full share of it.
As we cannot be happy, but in the enjoyment of God; so we cannot rob one another of this happiness.
And as to other things, the enjoyments of this life, they are so little in themselves, so foreign to our happiness; and generally speaking, so contrary to that which they appear to be, that they are no foundation for envy, or hatred.
How silly would it be to envy a man, that was drinking poison out of a golden cup? And yet who can say, that he is acting wiser than thus, when he is envying any instance of worldly greatness?
11. *How many saints has adversity sent to heaven? And how many sinners has prosperity plunged into everlasting misery? A man seems to be in the most glorious state, when he has conquered, disgraced, and humbled his enemy; though it may be, that same conquest has saved his adversary, and undone himself.
This man had perhaps never been debauched, but for his fortune and advancement; that had never been pious, but thro’ his poverty and disgrace.
She that is envied for her beauty, may, perchance, owe all her misery to it; and another may be for ever happy, for having had no admirers of her person.
One man succeeds in every thing, and so loses all: another meets with nothing but crosses and disappointments, and thereby gains more than all the world is worth.
This clergyman may be undone by his being made a bishop; and that may save both himself and others by being fixed to his poor vicarage.
How envied was Alexander, when conquering the world, he built towns, set up his statues, and left marks of his glory in so many kingdoms!