THE PSYCHOLOGY AND MECHANISMS
#12 – Jealousy
Definition (Merriam‑Webster)
• 1: a jealous : [1: hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage : envious // His success made his old friends jealous. // They were jealous of his success.] • 2a: intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness // … jealous of the slightest interference in household management … — Havelock Ellis • 2b: tending to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness // a jealous husband] disposition, attitude, or feeling // a marriage destroyed by jealousy // petty jealousies.
• 2: zealous vigilance // … cherish their official political freedom with fierce jealousy … — Paul Blanshard
Jealousy is the restless shadow of comparison.
It arises when affection is threatened, when success of another feels like loss to oneself, or when loyalty is suspected.
Psychology sees jealousy as a blend of fear, insecurity, and envy—an emotion that distorts perception and corrodes trust.
Philosophy treats jealousy as a vice of imbalance, where the mind clings to possession and refuses to share dignity.
Jealousy is the most common and most disturbing trait of human beings. It appears in friendships, families, workplaces, and nations—often silently, often destructively.
Jealousy shows itself in three ways:
- It turns admiration into envy.
- It transforms love into suspicion.
- It converts success of others into bitterness.
Daily life reveals jealousy in rivalry, mistrust, and resentment. It is subtle yet powerful, often hidden but deeply disturbing.
Examples in Daily Life
- “Jealousy between siblings poisons affection.”
- “A jealous colleague resents another’s promotion.”
- “Jealousy in marriage erodes trust and intimacy.”
- “Jealousy among friends turns companionship into rivalry.”
- “Even small jealousies, if unchecked, grow into lasting bitterness.”
What we remember.
- We remind ourselves that jealousy is the shadow of insecurity.
- We confront jealousy by admitting it, for denial strengthens it.
- We practice trust, for jealousy weakens bonds and disturbs peace.
- We replace jealousy with gratitude, seeing others’ success as inspiration.
Jealousy is the common thorn that disturbs every heart.
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(Images source: Pixabay)
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