of envy

Of envy
A man that has no virtue in himself ever envies virtue in others, for men’s minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others’ evil; and who wants 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 takes a kind of play-pleasure, in looking upon the fortunes of others. neither can be, that minds but his own business, find much matter for envy. For envy is a gadding passion, and walks the streets, and does 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.
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.
Lastly, near kinfolks, and fellows in office, and those that have been bred together, are more apt to envy their equals, when they are raised.
……
We will add this in general, toughing the affection of envy; that of all other affections, it is the most importune and continual. For of other affections, there is occasion given, but now and then ; and therefore it was well said, Invidia festos dies non agit. For it is ever working upon some or other. And it is also noted, that love and envy do make a man pine, which other affections do not, because they are not so continual. It is also the vilest affection, and the most depraved; for which cause it is the proper attribute of the devil, who is called The envious man, that sows tares amongst the wheat by night, as it always comes to pass, that envy works subtly, and in the dark, and to the prejudice of good things, such as the wheat.