Schoeck_2010_EnvyATheoryOfSocialBehaviour.pdf

206 ENVY AS THE SUBJECT OF PHILOSOPHY
forms of such pathological modesty. What is in fact involved is not the
virtue of modesty, but the idea of even the smallest obligation (Le., the
duty of gratitude) being so intolerable to some people that they would
rather make themselves ridiculous, or hurt others' feelings, than accept
anything from anyone. Are such people afraid of their own envy, or of the
vice of ingratitude? Do they realize that they are simply incapable of
gracefully accepting a natural benefaction without suffering from a
corrosive sense of inferiority towards the benefactor, a feeling that will
develop into hatred and ostentatious ingratitude?
Schopenhauer on envy
In Schopenhauer we find an analysis of human wickedness which concludes
with an inquiry into envy. This philosopher believes that everybody
has within him something that is morally altogether bad and that
even the noblest character will at times display a surprising streak of evil.
Schopenhauer recalls that, of all animals, man alone torments his own
kind for entertainment. 'For truly in the heart of each one of us there is a
wild beast that only awaits the opportunity to rant and roar, to hurt
others, and, should they seek to bar its way, to destroy: it is here that all
lust for war and fighting originates.' This leads Schopenhauer on to an
analysis of envy: 'The worst trait in human nature, however, is Schadenfreude,
for it is closely related to cruelty ... generally ... appearing
where compassion should find a place. . . . In another sense, envy is
opposed to compassion, since it stems from an opposite cause. ,20
In his chapter 'On Judgment, Criticism, Applause and Fame,' Schopenhauer
describes in detail the manifestations of envy. If the acerbity of
his language betrays his disappointment and bitterness regarding contemporary
philosophical criticism, some of his observations still remain
valid and significant for the sociological study of literature.
Envy he describes as 'the soul of the alliance of mediocrity which
everywhere foregathers instinctively and flourishes silently, being directed
against individual excellence of whatever kind. For the latter is
unwelcome in every individual sphere of action .... ,21
20 A. Schopenhauer, Siimtliche Werke, ed. A. Hiibscher, Leipzig, 1939, Vol. 6,
pp.223-39.
21 Op. cit., p. 491.