There is nothing that undermines all virtuous and noble qualities more surely or more insidiously than the indulged vice of envy.  Its unresisting victims become, by degrees, capable of every species of detraction, until they lose even the very power of perceiving that which is true.  They become, too, incapable of all generous self-denial and self-sacrifice; feelings of bitterness towards every successful rival (and there are few who may not be our rivals on some one point or other) gradually diffuse themselves throughout the heart, and leave no place for that love of our neighbour which the Scriptures have stated to be the test of love to God.[37]

Unlike most other vices, envy can never want an opportunity of indulgence; so that, unless it is early detected and vigilantly controlled, its rapid growth is inevitable.

Early detection is the first point; and in that I am most anxious to assist you.  Perhaps, till now, the possibility of your being guilty of the vice of envy has never entered your thoughts.  When any thing resembling it has forced itself on your notice, you have probably given it the name of jealousy, and have attributed the painful emotions it excited to the too tender susceptibilities of your nature.  Ridiculous as such self-deception is, I have seen too many instances of it to doubt the probability of its existing in your case.

I am not, in general, an advocate for the minute analysis of mental emotions:  the reality of them most frequently evaporates during the process, as in anatomy the principle of life escapes during the most vigilant anatomical examination.  In the case, however, of seeking the detection of a before unknown failing, a strict mental inquiry must necessarily be instituted.  The many great dangers of mental anatomy may be partly avoided by confining your observations to the external symptoms, instead of to the state of mind from whence they proceed.  This will be the safer as well as the more effectual mode of bringing conviction home to your mind.  For instance, I would have you watch the emotions excited when enthusiastic praise is bestowed upon another, with relation to those very qualities you are the most anxious should be admired in yourself.  When the conversation or the accomplishments of another fix the attention which was withheld from your own,—­when the opinion of another, with whom you fancy yourself on an equality, is put forward as deserving of being followed in preference to your own, I can imagine you possessed of sufficient self-respect to restrain any external tokens of envy:  you will not insinuate, as meaner spirits would do, that the beauty, or the dress, or the accomplishments so highly extolled are preserved, cherished, and cultivated at the expense of time, kindly feelings, and the duty of almsgiving—­that the conversation is considered by many competent judges flippant, or pedantic, or presuming—­that the opinion cannot be of much value when the conduct has been in some instances so deficient in prudence.