καὶ οἷς μικρὸν ἐλλείπει τοῦ μὴ πάντα ὑπάρχειν (διὸ (29) οἱ μεγάλα πράττοντες καὶ οἱ εὐτυχοῦντες φθονεροί εἰσιν)·
(30) πάντας γὰρ οἴονται τὰ αὑτῶν φέρειν.
καὶ οἱ τιμώμενοι ἐπί (31) τινι διαφερόντως, καὶ μάλιστα ἐπὶ σοφίᾳ ἢ εὐδαιμονίᾳ.
καὶ (32) οἱ φιλότιμοι φθονερώτεροι τῶν ἀφιλοτίμων.
καὶ οἱ δοξόσοφοι·
(33) φιλότιμοι γὰρ ἐπὶ σοφίᾳ. καὶ ὅλως οἱ φιλόδοξοι περί τι φθο(34)νεροὶ περὶ τοῦτο.
καὶ οἱ μικρόψυχοι· πάντα γὰρ μεγάλα δοκεῖ (35) αὐτοῖς εἶναι.
ἐφ’ οἷς δὲ φθονοῦσι, τὰ μὲν ἀγαθὰ εἴρηται·
(1388a1) ἐφ’ οἷς γὰρ φιλοδοξοῦσι καὶ φιλοτιμοῦνται ἔργοις ἢ κτήμασι (2) καὶ ὀρέγονται δόξης, καὶ ὅσα εὐτυχήματά ἐστιν, σχεδὸν περὶ (3) πάντα φθόνος ἔστι, καὶ μάλιστα ὧν αὐτοὶ ἢ ὀρέγονται ἢ (4) οἴονται δεῖν αὑτοὺς ἔχειν, ἢ ὧν τῇ κτήσει μικρῷ ὑπερέχουσιν (5) ἢ μικρῷ ἐλλείπουσιν.
We feel envy also if we fall but a little short of having everything; which is why people in high place and prosperity feel it
—they think every one else is taking what belongs to themselves.
Also if we are exceptionally distinguished for some particular thing, and especially if that thing is wisdom or good fortune.
Ambitious men are more envious than those who are not.
So also those who profess wisdom; they are ambitious to be thought wise.
Indeed, generally, those who aim at a reputation for anything are envious on this particular point.
And small—minded men are envious, for everything seems great to them.
The good things which excite envy have already been mentioned.
The deeds or possessions which arouse the love of reputation and honour and the desire for fame, and the various gifts of fortune, are almost all subject to envy; and particularly if we desire the thing ourselves, or think we are entitled to it, or if having it puts us a little above others, or not having it a little below them.