Word of the Day
March 6, 2020
Envy
A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or success; the desire to have what others possess rather than to create or earn it oneself.
From Latin 'invidia' meaning 'ill will, jealousy,' derived from 'invidere' meaning 'to look askance at, envy.' Related to the Latin 'videre' meaning 'to see,' suggesting envy as a distorted way of perceiving others' success.
Usage Examples
- Socialism is built on the foundation of envy, promising to redistribute what others have earned rather than empowering individuals to succeed.
- Envy fuels the appeal of politicians who promise to punish the successful rather than expand opportunity for all.
- The antidote to envy is gratitude and the belief that one's own hard work can create prosperity.
From the Show
The destructive power of envy took center stage during Kim Monson’s March 6th examination of democratic socialism. Kim identified envy as one of the seven deadly sins that forms the foundation of socialist ideology, contrasting it with the entrepreneurial spirit of self-made millionaire Madam C.J. Walker.