A jealous person is doubly unhappy-over what he has, which is judged inferior, and over which he has not, which is judged superior. Such a person is doubly removed from knowing the true blessing of creation.
Interpretation
Jealousy causes unhappiness by making a person focus on what they lack and their perceived inferiority.
This quote by Desmond Tutu highlights the destructive nature of jealousy. A jealous individual experiences dual suffering: they lament their own possessions, viewing them as inferior to what others have, while simultaneously yearning for what those others possess, seeing it as superior. This mindset prevents them from appreciating and recognizing the true value and blessings present in their own life, leading to a skewed perspective on existence and happiness.
In practice
During a motivational talk about self-acceptance, this quote can be used to illustrate the dangers of jealousy.
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Religion is like a knife: you can either use it to cut bread, or stick in someone's back.
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What you would seem to be, be really.
Hubris is one of the great renewable resources.
The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of truth.
People say that the most expensive piece of medical equipment is the doctor's pen. It's not that we make all the money. It's that we order all the money.
Don’t underestimate the value of irony—it is extremely valuable.
There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.
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