A lurking assassin',
Back to THOUGHTS FOR THE QUIET HOUR
Envy is the basest of human passions. It might well
be impersonated as a lurking assassin, dagger in hand,
haunting the darkest chambers of the soul; disguised,
too, with iron mask, to conceal, as best it may, its own
vile features and malignant thoughts.
The Bible speaks of envy as one of a dastard, unlovely
triad—" envying , murders, drunkenness."
It is a miniature hell wherever the foul fiend of envy has
been allowed to intrude. Hence no nobler moral victory,
yet no more difficult one can there be, than exorcizing
this demon of the abyss, tortured and maddened by the
sight of goodness it cannot reach, its impotence to tear
the wreath honourably won from brows better and worthier
than its own, and turn it into ashes.
"From envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness,
Lord, deliver us!"