As a means to an end or to spur you onto greater things?
2006-09-20 00:16:18 · 32 answers · asked by IshotJR 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Being envious is OK but jealousy? No.
Let me explain....
Envious is a secret admiration of a person. You can even come out and say it openly to that person... "hey, I am envious of you for being so good at your job or ...... being a good company in a party... " etc.. It will be taken as a compliment. Be careful of what word you use: Envious or jealous.
Jealousy is negative. Deep down you wish the worst to that person. Now, that's a bad thing. Say, the person wins a lottery. You can be envious or jealous. More often than not you will be jealous but not envious in this situation. See the difference?
It is perfectly alright to be envious. It is motivating. You may want to better yourself if you feel that envy factor is something you are lacking and that you can do something about it towards self improvement.
2006-09-20 00:34:28 · answer #1 · answered by Nightrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
jealousy and envy are different things. its alright to be jealous, but being envious is quite dangerous. jealousy is the desire to have something you are not in possession of, it drives you, motivates you to do or have something. that's alright. being envious is having a very pervasive greed attached with the desire to be or to have. it is dangerous. so, if we consult Kant on this matter, i think he wouldn't approve because it conflicts with the 1st categorical imperative, that which says "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law" which is supported by the second, which considers the 'good will' of the person. this means that if the will is selfish--therefore it is not at all good. it is bad.
2006-09-20 00:31:12 · answer #2 · answered by fobel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
Being envious or jealous or etc.. shows that you are not happy in your lifestyle, or work.
To spur yourself to better heights, it is OK to feel pride in your endeavors.
But the envious or jealous feelings could create a need to slam someone else to get to the top.
It is OK to rise, but be careful of who or what you use as your steps on the way.
2006-09-20 00:22:21 · answer #3 · answered by leftturnclyde152521 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No
Be inspired by all means.
To be envious means you begrudge them something why. ( you never really know the sacrifices people have made or how hard they have worked to get something)
Be happy for someone celebrate their success then when you get yours you will be happier knowing that you may be motivating others to be like you rather than ashamed in case people dislike you ( you may say if I am successful I wont care what people think but that is nonesense- we are only successful if the people we care about are proud of us and are happy for us).
2006-09-20 00:32:36 · answer #4 · answered by commentator 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be envious gives you the incentive to motivate yourself to achieve something that someone else has that you want.
Trouble is , after achieving this plateau you may find that the satisfaction factor of achieving your goal was not worth the effort,and you probably will move on to other enviable pursuits that may achieve a higher satisfaction level.
2006-09-20 00:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by Dfirefox 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its ok to see other people as an example as to what you want to achieve, but you should never be envious in a bad way, it will just eat you up inside
2006-09-20 00:19:37 · answer #6 · answered by rockin mermaid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can avoid it dont use the word envy, Use admiration instead.
I once passed by the property of a guy who paved and parked three cars in front of his house, so I said 'I really envy you'. He said to me that 'if you really envy me you wont say it to my face. I am sure what you mean is admiration.'
When we envy it brings out the feelings of anger and resentment. They are negative thought and are counterproductive. What we are really asking is why cant we have what that other person has, God why did you bless this person and you did not bless me?
Remember we always complain of not having a shoe then we give alms to an amputated man who has no feet.
2006-09-20 00:40:51 · answer #7 · answered by olayinka o 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes its alright to be envious. What you must do is to control your actions or the impulse (the decisions you decide out of envy or being envy)
2006-09-20 01:10:18 · answer #8 · answered by Winter Princess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it is, because you are harming yourself by making yourself feel unwell perhaps, as you are then obviously perhaps not happy with yourself, being jealous is ok as long as you recognise it and don't put the other person down, but being envious is one step further than simple jealousy. jealousy can make you motivated to do good things for yourself and to prove you can be good as well, but as long as you don't do bad things to hurt the other person out of jealousy. enviousness is a no go area.
2006-09-20 00:34:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if envious is the right word.
It's ok though to aspire to having something material, achieve a level within work, visit certain places etc....
2006-09-20 00:20:16 · answer #10 · answered by RRM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋