Greed vs. Envy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
Greed is an intense desire for wealth or possessions, while envy is a feeling of discontent or jealousy over others' advantages.
Difference Between Greed and Envy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Greed and envy are both related to desires, but they stem from different motivations.
Greed is the insatiable longing for more, often relating to material wealth or possessions. Envy, on the other hand, arises when one covets what others have, reflecting a sense of unfairness.
The emotional experiences of greed and envy also differ significantly.
While greed is driven by a person's own ambition to accumulate, envy is fueled by the success or possessions of others. Envy often carries a comparative aspect, whereas greed is more absolute in its desire.
In various cultural and religious contexts, both greed and envy are viewed as negative traits.
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Greed is seen as a self-centered pursuit of excess, often at the expense of others. Envy, by contrast, is a begrudging emotion, resenting others for what they possess or have achieved.
From a psychological perspective, both emotions can be detrimental.
Greed can lead to unethical behaviors, as individuals may go to great lengths to acquire more. Envy can lead to feelings of inferiority or hostility towards those who have what one desires.
While both emotions revolve around wanting more, their triggers are distinct.
Greed is sparked by one's own aspirations, irrespective of others. Envy is triggered by witnessing another's success or possession, leading to feelings of inadequacy or jealousy.
Comparison Chart
Primary Emotion
Desire for more
Jealousy over others' possessions/success
Trigger
Personal ambition
Others' achievements or possessions
Relation to Others
Independent of others
Comparative to others
Potential Outcomes
Unethical behavior, overindulgence
Inferiority, resentment, hostility
Cultural/Religious View
Pursuit of excess, self-centeredness
Resentment, sense of unfairness
Compare with Definitions
Greed
Pursuit of excess beyond need.
The billionaire's greed seemed boundless despite his immense wealth.
Envy
Jealousy over what others possess.
She felt envy seeing her friend's new car.
Greed
An overwhelming desire for more.
His greed for power was evident in his actions.
Envy
Resentment of others' advantages.
His success sparked envy among his peers.
Greed
Intense craving for material wealth.
Greed drove him to work tirelessly, neglecting his family.
Envy
A sense of inferiority from comparing with others.
Watching celebrities often filled her with envy.
Greed
Self-centered aspiration for accumulation.
The city was gripped by a greed for rapid expansion.
Envy
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.
Greed
Acquisitiveness and insatiability.
Her greed for fame made her compromise her values.
Envy
A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck
She felt a twinge of envy for the people on board
Greed
Greed (or avarice) is an uncontrolled longing for increase in the acquisition or use of material gain (be it food, money, land, or animate/inanimate possessions); or social value, such as status, or power. Greed has been identified as undesirable throughout known human history because it creates behavior-conflict between personal and social goals.
Envy
Desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable thing belonging to (someone else)
I envy Jane her happiness
He envied people who did not have to work at the weekends
Greed
Intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food
The colonists' greed for African land
Mercenaries who had allowed greed to overtake their principles
Greed has taken over football
Envy
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.
Greed
An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth
"Many ... attach to competition the stigma of selfish greed" (Henry Fawcett).
Envy
The object of such feeling
Their new pool made them the envy of their neighbors.
Greed
A selfish or excessive desire for more than is needed or deserved, especially of money, wealth, food, or other possessions.
His greed was his undoing.
Envy
(Obsolete) Malevolence.
Greed
To desire in a greedy manner, or to act on such a desire.
Envy
To feel envy toward (another person).
Greed
An eager desire or longing; greediness; as, a greed of gain.
Envy
To regard (something) with envy.
Greed
Excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves
Envy
Resentful desire of something possessed by another or others (but not limited to material possessions).
Greed
Reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Envy
An object of envious notice or feeling.
Envy
(obsolete) Hatred, enmity, ill-feeling.
Envy
(obsolete) Emulation; rivalry.
Envy
(obsolete) Public odium; ill repute.
Envy
A red-skinned variety of eating apple.
Envy
(transitive) To feel displeasure or hatred towards (someone) for their good fortune or possessions.
Envy
(transitive) To resentfully or discontentedly desire (something someone else has that one lacks).
Envy
To have envious feelings (at).
Envy
To give (something) to (someone) grudgingly or reluctantly; to begrudge.
Envy
(obsolete) To show malice or ill will; to rail.
Envy
(obsolete) To do harm to; to injure; to disparage.
Envy
(obsolete) To hate.
Envy
(obsolete) To emulate.
Envy
Malice; ill will; spite.
If he evade us there,Enforce him with his envy to the people.
Envy
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.
Envy is a repining at the prosperity or good of another, or anger and displeasure at any good of another which we want, or any advantage another hath above us.
No blissEnjoyed by us excites his envy more.
Envy, to which the ignoble mind's a slave,Is emulation in the learned or brave.
Envy
Emulation; rivalry.
Such as cleanliness and decencyPrompt to a virtuous envy.
Envy
Public odium; ill repute.
To lay the envy of the war upon Cicero.
Envy
An object of envious notice or feeling.
This constitution in former days used to be the envy of the world.
Envy
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.
A woman does not envy a man for his fighting courage, nor a man a woman for her beauty.
Whoever envies another confesses his superiority.
Envy
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.
I have seen thee fight,When I have envied thy behavior.
Jeffrey . . . had actually envied his friends their cool mountain breezes.
Envy
To long after; to desire strongly; to covet.
Or climb his knee the envied kiss to share.
Envy
To do harm to; to injure; to disparage.
If I make a lieTo gain your love and envy my best mistress,Put me against a wall.
Envy
To hate.
Envy
To emulate.
Envy
To be filled with envious feelings; to regard anything with grudging and longing eyes; - used especially with at.
Who would envy at the prosperity of the wicked?
Envy
To show malice or ill will; to rail.
Envy
A feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something possessed by another
Envy
Spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Envy
Feel envious towards; admire enviously
Envy
Be envious of; set one's heart on
Envy
A begrudging admiration.
His talent was undeniable, but it also caused envy.
Envy
Discontent arising from desires unfulfilled.
Living in a small town, she was consumed by envy for city life.
Common Curiosities
How is envy different from jealousy?
Envy is discontent over what others possess, while jealousy involves fear of losing something one has to another.
Can greed be positive?
In moderation, ambition can be seen as positive, but excessive greed, especially at others' expense, is generally viewed negatively.
What drives greed?
Greed is driven by an intense desire for more, often related to wealth or possessions.
Why do people feel envy?
People feel envy when they perceive an unfair advantage or possession in others, leading to feelings of inadequacy or resentment.
Can envy be constructive?
If envy inspires one to better oneself without harboring resentment, it can be constructive.
Are greed and envy related?
While both revolve around desires, greed focuses on self-centered accumulation, and envy arises from comparing oneself to others.
Can envy affect relationships?
Yes, envy can strain relationships by fostering resentment and mistrust.
How can one manage feelings of envy?
Focusing on personal growth, practicing gratitude, and avoiding constant comparison can help manage envy.
Is greed always about material wealth?
While often associated with wealth, greed can also refer to desires for power, fame, or other forms of excess.
Is envy always negative?
While often seen negatively, envy can sometimes be a motivator for self-improvement if channeled positively.
How is greed depicted in literature?
Greed is often portrayed as a destructive force leading to downfall, as seen in characters consumed by their desires.
How can one overcome greed?
Focusing on gratitude, practicing contentment, and valuing experiences over possessions can help in overcoming greed.
How are greed and envy viewed in religious contexts?
Many religions view both greed and envy as negative traits that lead individuals away from virtuous living.
Are there any benefits to feeling greed?
While excessive greed is harmful, ambition and the desire to improve can be beneficial in moderation.
Are there cultural differences in perceptions of greed and envy?
Yes, different cultures may have varying views on greed and envy based on societal values and norms.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
