|
The best
way to describe the difference between envy and
jealousy is in the ownership. Envy means somebody
else has something that you want. Jealousy means you
have something and are overly protective or worried about
losing it. Also, envy is typically non-violent, while
jealousy tends to lead to violence.
Ex. I felt
only envy for the Martian's modern spacecraft, not
fear for what was to come.
Ex. Until
Nick won a Golden Ampersand of his own, he was envious
of Karalyn for winning it the semester before.
Notice
that, in the first example, the Martians have something for
which the writer feels envy. In the second example, Nick
showed envy of Karalyn’s award until he received one of his
own.
Jealousy,
on the other hand, means you already have something you’re
afraid to lose.
Ex. The way
Steve looked at my girlfriend triggered the green-eyed
monster of jealousy within me.
Ex. When
Marcus took Amy’s coffee, the caffeine-loving woman grabbed
it back, pulled her beloved drink to her chest, and shoved
Marcus away in a jealous rage.
In the
first example, the speaker has a girlfriend whom he is
worried about losing to Steve. The second example shows how
Amy, in a fit of jealousy and protectiveness, took
back her coffee and violently pushed Marcus away. |