Brethren: If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. Let us not become desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Gal 5:25-26; 6:1-10
Indeed all the vices tend towards and aim at harming those whom they possess, but envy always consumes its own even more. Envy has always been the killer of its own, it strains thought-processes, it racks spirits, it torments minds, and it ruptures hearts.
St Peter Chrysologus
And why need I say more? The one who welcomes it endures his own unending punishments, because he is choosing to have his personal torturer always inside himself.
St Peter Chrysologus
Oh! ye who are envious, let me tell you, that however often you may seek for the opportunity of injuring him, whom you hate, you will never be able to do him so much harm, as you do harm to yourselves. He, whom you would pursue through the malice of your envy, may probably escape, but you will never be able to fly from yourselves. Wherever you may be, your adversary is with you, your sin rankles within.
St Cyprian
The envious man is cruel, proud, unfaithful, impatient and quarrelsome, and what is strange, when this vice gains the mastery, he is no longer master of himself, and he is unable to correct his many faults. If the bond of peace of broken, if the rights of fraternal charity are violated, if truth is altered or disguised, it is often envy that hurries him on to crime. What happiness can such a man enjoy in this world?
St Cyprian
Oh! envious man, you injure yourself, more than he whom you would injure, and the sword with which you would wound, will recoil and wound yourself. What harm did Cain to Abel? Contrary to his intention, he did him the greatest good, for he caused him to pass to a better and a blessed life, and he himself was plunged into an abyss of woe. It is ever thus, the more you envy your brother, the greater good you confer upon him. God, who sees all, takes the cause of the innocent in hand, and irritated by the injury you inflict, deigns to raise up him, whom you wish to lower, and will punish you to the full extent of your crime.
St John Chrysostom
Envy is a gnawing pain which springs from the success and prosperity of another, and this is the reason why the envious are never exempt from trouble and vexation. The envious, however, dare not speak, although envy makes them counterfeit gladness, their hearts are sore within. If you ask him what vexes him, he dare not tell the reason.
St Basil
As the shadow ever accompanies the pedestrian when walking in the sun, so envy throws its shadow on those who are successful in the world.
St Basil
AnaStpaul 