Essays of Francis Bacon | Page 9

the present of the objects;

which are the points that conduce to fascination, if any such thing there
be. We see likewise, the Scripture calleth envy an evil eye; and the
astrologers, call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects; so that still
there seemeth to be acknowledged, 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 honor; in that it should be said, that an eunuch, or a lame man, did
such great matters; affecting the honor 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 afterwards overcome it better; whereas contrariwise,
persons of worth and merit are most envied, when their fortune
continueth 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, there seemeth not much added to
their fortune; and envy is as the sunbeams,