Ecclesiastes 4:4 Commentary and Bible Study

Again, he considered something else – the widespread occurrence of envy. Human nature is an unattractive thing. People like to pretend to themselves that the human race is noble and worthy to be admired, but the reality is that it is scarcely possible to be successful, to accomplish a good piece of work without arousing envy. Simple, innocent admiration is rare because men and women have their eyes on themselves first of all, and so every good work they see in others triggers a comparison with the other. All motivation to pursue excellence is undermined by the thought that the skilled man only makes himself a target for envy. Toil is good and the acquisition of skills through diligent effort and repeated practice, making use of natural gifts deserves admiration, but what is the point if it only succeeds in stirring up jealousy? So mean spirited is human nature that where men see others who outshine them, they find it impossible to freely appreciate them and rate them as better than themselves. Self, which constructs its own worth on a foundation of imagined superiority, cannot bear the sight. Consequently, what ought to be appreciated – the pursuit of excellence – turns instead into a cause of trouble. This is a miserable situation for there ought to be every incentive for improving skills and using them for the benefit of society, but envy spoils it all.