Researchers at the University of Atlanta recently conducted tests on a group of monkeys whereby each monkey had to pick up a small stone and bring it to the researcher. Each time they did it they’d receive a slice of cucumber. The scheme worked well as long as each monkey received the same reward, but then everything turned sour when they rewarded one monkey with a grape. The others then refused to participate any more, and in disgust began to throw away the slices of cucumber and the stones.
That’s almost human behaviour isn’t it? We are happy with our lot until we see someone in a similar situation who is better off. Then we cry foul and demand an end to such monkey business. Why do we so easily allow envy to ruin our happiness?
It’s like the Bible says: ‘A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.’