their Equals when they are raised. For it doth upbraid unto them their owne Fortunes, And pointeth[1] at them, and commeth oftner into their remembrance, and incurreth likewise more into the note of others[2]; And Envy ever redoubleth from Speech and Fame. Cain's Envy was the more vile and Malignant towards his brother Abel; Because, when his Sacrifice was better accepted, there was no Body to looke on. Thus much for those that are apt to Envy.
Concerning those that are more or lesse subiect to Envy: First, Persons of eminent Vertue, when they are advanced, are lesse envied. For their Fortune seemeth but due unto them; and no man Envieth the Payment of a Debt, but Rewards and Liberality rather. Againe, Envy is ever ioyned with the Comparing of a Man's Selfe; And where there is no Comparison, no Envy; And therfore Kings are not envied, but by Kings. Neverthelesse, it is to be noted that unworthy[3] Persons are most envied at their first comming in, and afterwards overcome it better; wheras, contrariwise, Persons of Worth and Merit are most envied, when their Fortune continueth long. For by that time, though their Vertue be the same, yet it hath not the same Lustre; For fresh Men grow up that darken it[4].
Persons of Noble Bloud are lesse envied in their Rising; For it seemeth but Right done to their Birth. Besides, there seemeth not much added to their Fortune; And Envy is as the Sunne Beames, that beat hotter upon a Bank or steepe rising Ground then upon a Flat. And, for the same reason, those that are advanced by degrees are lesse envied then those that are advanced suddainly and per saltum[5].
Those that have ioyned with their Honour great Travels[6], Cares, or Perills, are lesse subiect to Envy. For Men thinke that they earne their Honours hardly, and pitty them sometimes; And Pitty ever healeth Envy: Wherefore, you shall observe that the more deepe and sober sort of Politique persons[7], in their Greatnesse, are ever bemoaning themselves, what a Life they lead; Chanting a Quanta
