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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Jealousy is here taken to be synonymous with envy. It is defined to be a sorrow which one entertains at another's well-being because of a view that one's own excellence is in consequence lessened. Its distinctive malice comes from the opposition it implies to the supreme virtue of charity. Thelaw oflove constrains us to rejoice rather than to be distressed at the good fortune of our neighbour. Besides, such an attitude is a direct contradiction of the spirit of solidarity which ought to characterize thehuman race and, especially, the members of theChristian community. The envious man tortures himself without cause, morbidly holding as he does, the success of another to constitute anevil for himself. Thesin, in so far as it defies the great precept of charity, is in general grievous, although on account of the trifling matter involved, as well as because of the lack of deliberation, it is often reputed to be venial. Jealousy is mostevil when one repines at another's spiritual good. It is then said to be asin against the Holy Ghost. It is likewise called a capitalsin because of the other vices it begets. Among its progenySt. Thomas (II-II:36) enumerateshatred,detraction, rejoicing over the misfortunes of one's fellow, and whispering. Regret at another's success is not always jealousy. The motive has to be scrutinized. If, for instance, I feel sorrow at the news of another's promotion or rise to wealth, either because Iknow that he does not deserve his accession of good fortune, or because I have founded reason to fear he will use it to injure me or others, my attitude, provided that there is no excess in my sentiment, is entirely rational. Then, too, it may happen that I do not, properly speaking, begrudge my neighbour his happier condition, but simply am grieved that I have not imitated him. Thus if the subject-matter be praiseworthy, I shall be not jealous but rather laudably emulous.
APA citation.Delany, J.(1910).Jealousy. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08326b.htm
MLA citation.Delany, Joseph."Jealousy."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 8.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1910.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08326b.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by Joseph P. Thomas.In memory of Mrs. Maria Gahr.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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