Envy vs. Covet — What's the Difference?

The feeling of wanting to be in someone else's position or status.

The act or state of coveting involves a strong desire for material possessions.

A sense of injustice or sadness over not having something.

To desire something intensely, often with little regard for the ethics of obtaining it.

A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

Yearn to possess or have (something belonging to someone else).

Desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to someone else.

An intense desire that often overshadows moral or ethical considerations.

Envy can manifest as a motivator to achieve greater personal success.

Covetousness can lead to unethical actions to obtain what one wants.

Envy (from Latin invidia) is an emotion which occurs when a person lacks another's superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it.Aristotle defined envy as pain at the sight of another's good fortune, stirred by "those who have what we ought to have". Bertrand Russell said that envy was one of the most potent causes of unhappiness.

Yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another)

A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck

To feel strong or immoderate desire for (that which is another's).

Desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable thing belonging to (someone else)

To wish for (something) longingly.

A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another. See Usage Note at jealous.

To covet that which is another's.

The object of such feeling

(transitive) To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of, often enviously.

(Obsolete) Malevolence.

(transitive) To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).

To feel envy toward (another person).

(intransitive) To yearn; to have or indulge an inordinate desire, especially for another's possession.

To regard (something) with envy.

To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of; - used in a good sense.

Resentful desire of something possessed by another or others (but not limited to material possessions).

To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).

An object of envious notice or feeling.

To have or indulge inordinate desire.

(obsolete) Hatred, enmity, ill-feeling.

Wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person);

(obsolete) Emulation; rivalry.

(obsolete) Public odium; ill repute.

A red-skinned variety of eating apple.

(transitive) To feel displeasure or hatred towards (someone) for their good fortune or possessions.

(transitive) To resentfully or discontentedly desire (something someone else has that one lacks).

To have envious feelings (at).

To give (something) to (someone) grudgingly or reluctantly; to begrudge.

(obsolete) To show malice or ill will; to rail.

(obsolete) To do harm to; to injure; to disparage.

(obsolete) To hate.

(obsolete) To emulate.

Malice; ill will; spite.

Chagrin, mortification, discontent, or uneasiness at the sight of another's excellence or good fortune, accompanied with some degree of hatred and a desire to possess equal advantages; malicious grudging; - usually followed by of; as, they did this in envy of Cæsar.

Emulation; rivalry.

Public odium; ill repute.

An object of envious notice or feeling.

To feel envy at or towards; to be envious of; to have a feeling of uneasiness or mortification in regard to (any one), arising from the sight of another's excellence or good fortune and a longing to possess it.

To feel envy on account of; to have a feeling of grief or repining, with a longing to possess (some excellence or good fortune of another, or an equal good fortune, etc.); to look with grudging upon; to begrudge.

To long after; to desire strongly; to covet.

To do harm to; to injure; to disparage.

To hate.

To emulate.

To be filled with envious feelings; to regard anything with grudging and longing eyes; - used especially with at.

To show malice or ill will; to rail.

A feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something possessed by another

Feel envious towards; admire enviously

Be envious of; set one's heart on

Envy is a feeling of discontent or longing elicited by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.

Yes, if used as motivation to better oneself or to achieve personal goals, envy can have a positive outcome.

Covetousness is difficult to justify ethically, as it involves desiring what is not rightfully one's own and can lead to harmful actions.

Managing envy involves self-reflection, focusing on personal growth, and cultivating gratitude for what one already has.

To covet something means to have a strong desire to possess it, especially something that belongs to someone else.

Envy involves a sense of discontent or longing, while admiration is a positive feeling of respect or esteem without the desire to possess.

Covetousness is an intense desire to possess what belongs to someone else, often leading to negative actions, whereas envy is more about feeling inadequate or longing without the intent to deprive.

While often seen as negative, envy can sometimes motivate individuals to improve their own situation or achievements.

Feeling envy is a common human emotion and can be considered normal, though it's important to manage such feelings constructively.

The main difference is that envy involves wanting what someone else has, while jealousy involves fearing losing what one has to someone else.

Cultural views vary, but generally, both envy and covetousness are seen negatively, though some cultures may recognize the motivational aspect of envy.

Covetousness is considered unethical because it involves the desire to take something that rightfully belongs to someone else, often leading to morally questionable actions.

Overcoming covetousness involves cultivating contentment, ethical values, and focusing on personal achievements rather than desiring others’ possessions.

Yes, covetousness can be considered a form of greed, especially in its intense desire for material possessions.

Yes, covetousness can negatively affect relationships by fostering mistrust, resentment, and unethical behavior.