Would You Pity Or Envy Me?

"If the secret sorrows of everyone could be read on their forehead, how many who now cause envy would suddenly become the objects of pity?"

Italian proverb

We envy what we know often without knowing what we don't know.

One Or The Other

"The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time."

Johann Kaspar Lavater

18th century Swiss theologian

It's not that a jealous person is not capable of also being creative in their own right.

It's just that they typically don't have time to be both simultaneously.

The Envious Mind

"Worth begets in base minds, envy; in great souls, emulation."

Henry Fielding

18th century English novelist

True.

You have only two choices.

You can can wish you had, did, thought whatever you see that has value.

Or you can contribute to make something of equal or greater value.

Which will it be?

That's So Lame!

"Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us."

Thomas Jefferson

Third president of the United States

Think about this the next time you find yourself demeaning someone or their ideas.

The Envy Of Others

"Nothing sharpens sight like envy."

Thomas Fuller

17th century British clergy/author

Depending on Mr. Fuller's definition of "sight" . . . maybe.

Yes if the implication is that the envious are, as a result of being envious, more determined to achieve whatever it is they are envious of.

However more often I find that envy leads to too much focus on the accomplishment of others, rather than concentrating on achieving one's own goals.

What about you?

The Role of Love in Business

"I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I've ever known."

Walt Disney

Yesterday's quote had to do with hate and I've selected this one to make the opposite point.

I believe I understand Mr. Disney, given all that Mickey represented to his life's work, but what might his wife Lillian and his daughters Diane Marie and Sharon Mae have thought about that, not to mention Minnie Mouse?

As is true of hate, love is also a very strong word and we should be very careful when and how we use it, in our personal and business lives.

What do you think?

The Role of Hate in Business

"Hate is the consequence of fear. We fear something before we hate it."

Cyril Connolly
20th century English critic/author

A writer, particularly one who is also a critic, would recognize the role hate plays in our lives. And to this I would add envy.

So what about hate, fear and envy in business, and by that I don't mean that directed towards our competitors.

I'm talking about hate towards co-workers.