There’s an old Jewish story about two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals and would spend each day keeping track of each other’s business. If one got a customer, he’d smile in triumph at his rival. If the other got the customer, the first would fume with resentment. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said: ‘I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he’ll be twice as wealthy. What is your desire?’ The man thought for a moment, and then said: ‘Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!’
One of the surest signs of a sick spirit is when we’d sooner rejoice over those who weep more than us than rejoice with those who rejoice more than us.