Homily XI., against Envy, adduces the instances of
Saul’s envy of David, and that of the patriarchs against
Joseph. It is pointed out that envy grows out of familiarity and
proximity. “A man is envied of his
neighbour.” Ecc. iv. 4. The Scythian
does not envy the Egyptian. Envy arises among
fellow-countrymen. The remedy for this vice is to recognise the
pettiness of the common objects of human ambition, and to aspire to
eternal joys. If riches are a mere means to
unrighteousness, §
5. wo be to the rich
man! If they are a ministering to virtue, there is no room for
envy, since the common advantages proceeding from them are open to
all,—unless any one out of superfluity of wickedness envies
himself his own good things!