But more powerful and insistent than all these is the evil of jealousy, which disquiets us by making comparisons. It argues: “He who bestowed this on me, but more on So-and-so, and an earlier gift upon So-and-so”; and, too, it pleads no man’s case, it is for itself against everybody. But how much simpler, how much more sensible it is to magnify the benefit received, to be convinced that no one is as highly esteemed by another as he is by himself! I ought to have received more, but it was not easy for him to give more; he had to portion out his liberality amongst many others; this is simply the beginning, let us take it in good part and attract his notice by accepting it gratefully; he has done too little, but he will do something oftener; he preferred So-and-so to me, and me to many others; So-and-so is not my equal either in virtue or in services, but he has a charm of his own; by complaining I shall show, not that I am deserving of greater favors, but that I am undeserving of those that have been given. More favors have been given to the basest of men, but what does it matter? How rarely is Fortune judicious! Every day we complain that the wicked are prosperous; often the hail-storm that has passed over the fields of the greatest sinners smites the corn of the most upright men; each one must endure his lot, in friendship as well as in everything else. No benefit is so ample that it will not be possible for malice to belittle it, none is so scanty that it cannot be enlarged by kindly interpretation. Reasons for complaint will never be lacking if you view benefits on their unfavorable side.