Envy/Jealousy Tendency
Comparison with others drives irrational behavior.
Key Principle
Focus on absolute progress, not relative standing.
Understanding Envy/Jealousy Tendency
Envy—wanting what others have—and jealousy—fearing losing what you have to others—drive enormous amounts of human behavior, most of it unproductive.
Munger called envy "the only one of the seven deadly sins that isn't any fun" because unlike greed or lust, envy provides no pleasure, only pain. Yet it's among the most powerful drivers of human action.
In business, envy manifests as keeping up with competitors for no strategic reason, matching offers to retain employees you'd otherwise let go, and pursuing opportunities just because others are.
Real-World Examples
- Matching a competitor's feature set even when it doesn't fit your strategy.
- Increasing compensation to match a counteroffer rather than market rates.
- Pursuing funding because competitors raised, not because you need it.
- Unhappiness despite success because peers are doing better.
How to Apply This
Define success in absolute terms, not relative to others
Limit exposure to information that triggers unproductive comparison
Channel competitive energy into improving yourself, not tearing others down
Recognize when decisions are driven by envy rather than strategy
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring success by comparison rather than goals
- Making strategic decisions based on what competitors are doing
- Letting envy destroy satisfaction with genuine accomplishments
- Pursuing the wrong goals because others are pursuing them
Notable Quotes
"The world is not driven by greed. It's driven by envy."
— Charlie Munger
"It is not greed that drives the world, but envy."
— Warren Buffett