Greed vs Envy
Greed and envy, often considered two of the seven deadly sins, definitely have differences. Greed refers to an excessive desire for power, wealth, and food, with a person filled with greed preferring to keep all their belongings to themselves without sharing. Envy, on the other hand, involves wanting to be in another person’s situation in terms of wealth, power, success, and so on. Such a person feels jealousy and a strong desire to own what belongs to another. This article presents an elaborative description of the two terms while emphasizing the differences between greed and envy.
What does Greed mean?
Greed is an excessive form of desire for various possessions, such as wealth, power, and food, also known as avarice. A greedy person refrains from sharing their wealth and belongings with others, only attempting to accumulate more to increase their possessions. For example, greed for material gain can lead someone to a life of misery. A person greedy for power or wealth might even resort to violence to safeguard or increase their wealth. While excessive greed can be detrimental, a considerable level of it can be positive, allowing someone to prosper and maximize their success.
What does Envy mean?
Envy is an extreme desire for the belongings or success of another person, similar to jealousy, as both involve resenting another’s possessions. However, unlike jealousy, envy takes it a step further with an intense desire for another’s belongings. When someone is envious of another’s success, possessions, appearance, or traits, they lead a life of resentment and discontentment due to the constant comparisons they engage in. This creates a condition where the person suffers from some flaw or the other in comparison to others, making envy a very negative emotion that harms the individual.
Key Takeaways
- Greed is an excessive form of desire for various possessions, such as wealth, power, and food.
- Envy is an extreme desire for the belongings or success of another person, similar to jealousy but with an intense desire for another’s belongings.
- The main difference between greed and envy is that greed involves a strong desire for possessions that one wishes to maximize, while envy is a strong desire for the possessions of another person that do not belong to the person who harbors the desire.
