Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can cloud our judgment and strain our relationships, but it also offers valuable insights into our desires and insecurities.
By confronting and understanding jealousy, we can turn it into a force for personal growth and self-reflection.
In this post, we have gathered 121 inspiring quotes about jealousy in life and relationship – some offering wisdom on overcoming it, others shedding light on its complexities.
Let these words encourage you to rise above envy and cultivate a mindset focused on gratitude, self-love, and empowerment.
Inspiring Quotes of Jealousy in Life
“Jealousy is a dog’s bark which attracts thieves.” — Karl Kraus
“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.” — Fulton J. Sheen
“Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt.” — Terri Guillemets
“Jealousy is the tie that binds, and binds, and binds.” — Helen Rowland
“Jealousy is the fear of losing something that you value.” — Nurudeen Ushawu
“Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.” — Robert A. Heinlein
“Jealousy, that jumble of secret worship and ostensible aversion.” — Emile M. Cioran
“Jealousy is an awkward homage which inferiority renders to merit.” — Madame de Puysieux
“To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.” — Joan Didion
“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.” — William Penn
“Jealousy is, I think, the worst of all faults because it makes a victim of both parties.” — Gene Tierney
Deep Jealousy Quotes in Relationships and Love
“He that is not jealous is not in love.” — Saint Augustine
“Jealousy is the worst enemy of a happy relationship.” — Unknown
“Jealousy is the sister of love, as the devil is the brother of angels.” — Saint Augustine
“Jealousy is always born with love but does not always die with it.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.” — François de La Rochefoucauld
“Jealousy is not so much the love of another as it is the love of ourselves.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretense of keeping it alive.” — Havelock Ellis
“Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other.” — Robert A. Heinlein
“Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.” — Maya Angelou
Jealousy Bitterness Quotes for Haters
“Let your haters be your motivators.”
“Jealousy is a form of hatred built upon insecurity.”
“The only time I’m not jealous is when I’m winning.”
“Jealousy is a crutch that weak men use to prop themselves up.”
“Jealousy is just someone realizing they want to be you, but it’s too late.”
“It is not that I’m jealous of your success. It’s that I’m annoyed it wasn’t mine first.”
“Don’t hate me because I am fabulous. Hate me because I’m winning and you’re not.”
“Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time… but mostly hate when you’re losing.”
“People only rain on your parade because they’re jealous of your sun and tired of their shade.”
“I don’t get jealous. I just aggressively compare myself to everyone and feel slightly bitter about it.”
“It’s sad how some people are so jealous and intimidated by you that they only have negative things to say when they know absolutely nothing about you.”
“Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time.” — Drake
“Jealousy is a mixture of love, hatred, and insecurity.” — Salvador Dali
“The jealous bring down the curse they fear upon their own heads.” — Dorothy Dix
“Never hate jealous people. They are jealous because they think you are better than them.” — Paulo Coelho
“Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.” — George Eliot
“Jealousy sees things always with magnifying glasses which make little things large, of dwarfs giants, of suspicions truths.” — Miguel de Cervantes
Toxic Quotes on Jealous Friends and Colleagues at Workplace
“Jealousy is a terrible disease. Get well soon.”
“Jealousy is like a parasite that eats away at the soul.”
“Jealousy is the prison we lock ourselves in while others live free.”
“Jealousy is an ugly emotion. It eats away at the very fabric of your soul.”
“Jealousy is an ugly emotion that clouds the mind and poisons the heart.”
“Jealousy is a disease of the mind and the heart.” — John Dryden
“Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies.” — Elizabeth Bowen
“The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time.” — Johann Kaspar Lavater
“Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” — Solomon
“Jealousy lives upon doubts. It becomes madness or ceases entirely as soon as we pass from doubt to certainty.” — François de La Rochefoucauld
Short Jealousy People Quotes
“Jealousy is a mental cancer.” — B. C. Forbes
“Jealousy is the grave of affection.” — Mary Baker Eddy
“Jealousy is the coward’s weapon.” — Zane Grey
“Jealousy is the fear of comparison.” — Max Frisch
“Jealousy is the jaundice of the soul.” — John Dryden
“Jealousy is all the fun you think they had.” — Erica Jong
“Jealousy is the purest form of flattery.” — Jackie Collins
“He who is not jealous is not enamored.” — Saint Augustine
“Jealousy is the sister of envy and of greed.” — George Sand
“Jealousy is a weakness disguised as strength.” — Stefan Molyneux
“Jealousy is often a mask for cowardice.”
“Jealousy blinds us to our own potential.”
“Jealousy is just a lack of self-confidence.”
“Jealousy is the handmaid of the insecure.”
“Jealousy doesn’t open doors, it closes them.”
“Jealousy is just a reflection of your insecurities.”
“Jealousy is nothing more than fear of abandonment.”
“Jealousy is a green-eyed monster that preys on the weak.”
“Jealousy is the art of injuring ourselves more than others.”
“Jealousy is a tiger that tears not only its prey but also its own raging heart.”
Quotes about Jealousy and Comparison
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“Don’t waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind.” — Mary Schmich
“Envy and jealousy are the private parts of the human soul. Perhaps the comparison can be extended; you hardly ever see them, but everybody has them.” — Frederick Buechner
“Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20.”
“Jealousy comes from counting others’ blessings instead of your own.”
“Jealousy is the pain of looking at the world through someone else’s eyes.”
“Jealousy is a bad feeling you have when you want what somebody else has.”
“Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to be jealous of others.”
“The only thing worse than jealousy is losing to the person you are jealous of.”
“The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”
“Jealousy only eats up your beauty. Have more faith in yourself; you got something that other people don’t.”
“Jealousy has a purpose: to help you discover your own path instead of focusing on the lives of others.”
Ignore Jealous Person Quotes
“The only way to deal with jealousy is to ignore it and keep shining.”
“Jealousy is a weak emotion; strong people ignore it and rise above.”
“Let them be jealous. Your success is a reflection of their insecurities.”
“Jealousy is a disease. Don’t let someone else’s illness infect your life.”
“The jealous will always talk. Let them talk, while you walk your path.”
“Focus on your path, not the jealous voices that try to distract you from it.”
“Success breeds jealousy, but you don’t have to breed negativity in return.”
“Ignore those who talk behind your back; they’re behind you for a reason.”
“Your light shines brighter when you refuse to dim it for others’ insecurities.”
“The best revenge is no revenge. Move on, and let them stew in their own jealousy.”
“Don’t let someone else’s jealousy become your burden. Stay focused, stay positive.”
“Jealousy has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. Ignore the noise.”
“The best way to deal with a jealous person is to ignore them and focus on your growth.”
“Don’t let jealousy cloud your path. Keep moving forward and let them watch from behind.”
“Let jealous people live in their world of envy. Your world is too big to be consumed by theirs.”
“Don’t waste energy on jealousy. Distance yourself from toxic people and focus on your goals.”
“Jealousy is the price people pay for not understanding your journey. Ignore them and keep going.”
“Don’t get distracted by jealousy; stay committed to your goals and let your success speak for itself.”
“Jealousy is like a fire; the more attention you give it, the more it spreads. Ignore it and let it die out.”
“Jealous people want what you have, but they don’t see the hard work behind it. Ignore them and keep hustling.”
Recommended Read: 143 Gossip Quotes – Get Inspired from Whispers to Wisdom
Jealousy Quotes in Othello
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock. The meat it feeds on.” — Iago, Act 3, Scene 3
“Trifles light as air, Are to the jealous confirmations strong, As proofs of holy writ.” — Iago, Act 3, Scene 3
“But jealous souls will not be answered so; They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they’re jealous: it is a monster Begot upon itself, born on itself.” — Emilia, Act 3, Scene 4
“I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on the proof, there is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy!” — Othello, Act 3, Scene 3
“No, Iago; I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on the proof, there is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy!” — Othello, Act 3, Scene 3
Funny Jealousy Competition Quotes
“Why be jealous when you can be fabulous?”
“You are not winning if they are not secretly jealous of you.”
“I’m not jealous, I’m just creatively unimpressed with your success.”
“If you are going to be jealous, at least make sure it is worth the drama.”
“Jealousy is just the universe’s way of reminding you how fabulous I am.”
“I’m not competitive. I just happen to hate losing more than I like winning.”
“Why be jealous when you can just pretend they are lucky instead of better?”
“I’m not saying I’m better than you… but I am saying you’re definitely jealous.”
“Life is too short to be jealous… unless we’re talking about the last slice of pizza.”
“Jealousy: When someone has what you want but you are too lazy to get it yourself.”
“Jealousy is the cousin of competition, and they are both hilarious at family gatherings.”
“I’m not jealous. I’m just practicing my face for when I lose gracefully. It’s not going well.”
“I don’t compete to win. I compete so other people know who they should be jealous of.”
“Jealousy is a waste of time. Except when you win and they’re jealous, then it’s hilarious.”
“Jealousy is like salt – it adds a little flavor to the competition, but too much ruins the dish.”
“If I had a dollar for every time someone was jealous of me, I’d… wait, no, I’d still be broke.”
“Why be jealous when you can pretend not to care and then secretly Google their entire life?”
“In competition, it is not about who is jealous of whom. It is about who pretends they are not.”
“They say comparison is the thief of joy. Well, looks like jealousy is the grumpy cousin who never gets invited.”
Research Studies Regarding Jealousy
These studies explore jealousy from various angles –
including psychological, cultural, social, and neurobiological perspectives, providing a comprehensive look at how this emotion manifests in relationships and social contexts.
- A study regarding jealousy in close relationships and romantic partnerships found that, jealousy often leads to behaviors aimed at reducing the perceived threat, including increased surveillance of the partner and heightened emotional responses.
- Research published by American Psychological Association investigated the cognitive mechanisms underlying jealousy, emphasizing the role of low self-esteem and personal insecurity in magnifying jealous feelings. Individuals with low self-worth were more prone to interpret ambiguous situations as threats.
- Another interesting study regarding romantic jealousy and Facebook surveillance found that, the more time individuals spent monitoring their partner’s activities online, the higher their levels of jealousy.
How To Stop Jealousy and Comparison
Overcoming jealousy can be challenging, but it is possible through self-awareness, emotional regulation, and building healthy habits.
Here are some effective strategies to help stop or manage jealousy.
By practicing these strategies, you can learn to manage jealousy more effectively and foster healthier relationships and self-perception.
1. Acknowledge Your Jealousy
– Recognize the emotion: Admitting you feel jealous is the first step. Reflect on what exactly is triggering your jealousy, whether it’s related to insecurity, fear of loss, or a comparison with others.
– Understand its root cause: Is it due to a lack of self-esteem, fear of abandonment, or unmet needs in a relationship? Understanding why you feel jealous can help you address the deeper issue.
2. Focus on Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
– Build your confidence: Jealousy often stems from feeling inadequate. Work on boosting your self-esteem through positive affirmations, setting small goals, and celebrating your achievements.
– Stop comparing yourself to others: Social comparison fuels jealousy. Instead, focus on your own journey and progress.
– Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself when you feel insecure or jealous. Remember that everyone experiences jealousy at some point, and it doesn’t define your value.
3. Communicate Openly
– Talk about your feelings: If jealousy arises in a relationship, have an open conversation with your partner. Express your feelings calmly without accusations. Sometimes jealousy comes from misunderstandings that can be resolved through communication.
– Ask for reassurance: If needed, ask your partner or loved one for reassurance, but avoid demanding excessive proof of loyalty.
4. Challenge Negative Thoughts
– Cognitive reframing: When you feel jealous, take a step back and ask yourself if your thoughts are rational. Are you jumping to conclusions or making assumptions? Replace negative, irrational thoughts with more balanced and realistic perspectives.
– Practice gratitude: Focus on what you have rather than what you think you lack. Gratitude helps shift your mindset away from jealousy.
5. Work on Trust
– Build trust in relationships: Jealousy can stem from mistrust. Work on developing trust in your relationships by being open, reliable, and consistent. Trust grows over time, but requires effort from both parties.
– Address past issues: If past experiences have caused you to be distrustful, such as previous betrayals or abandonment, consider processing these feelings through self-reflection or therapy.
6. Practice Emotional Regulation
– Mindfulness and meditation: Practice mindfulness to help regulate intense emotions like jealousy. Meditation can help you detach from the strong feelings and observe them without reacting impulsively.
– Deep breathing exercises: When jealousy feels overwhelming, pause and practice deep breathing to calm your body and mind.
7. Limit Social Media Exposure
– Reduce time on social media: Social media can intensify feelings of jealousy, as it often encourages comparison. Limit your exposure to posts that trigger jealousy or cultivate a healthier relationship with social media.
– Curate your feed: Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you, rather than ones that make you feel jealous or inadequate.
8. Focus on Personal Growth
– Set personal goals: Channel your energy into improving yourself, whether it is through learning a new skill, achieving a fitness goal, or focusing on hobbies. Personal growth helps reduce jealousy by giving you a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
– Develop a mindset of abundance: Recognize that someone else’s success or happiness does not take away from your own. There’s enough room for everyone to succeed.
9. Seek Support
– Talk to a friend or therapist: Sometimes, speaking to a trusted friend or professional can provide perspective and help you navigate feelings of jealousy. Therapy can help you explore deeper emotional patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
– Join support groups: If jealousy is related to specific issues, such as relationship jealousy or insecurities, support groups or online communities can offer advice and shared experiences.
10. Accept Imperfection
– Accept that jealousy is a normal human emotion: Everyone feels jealous at times. What matters is how you handle it. It’s okay to feel jealous occasionally, as long as you manage it in healthy ways and don’t let it control your actions.
– Embrace flaws in yourself and others: Instead of idealizing others or expecting perfection in your relationships, accept that everyone has flaws – including yourself. This can help diminish feelings of jealousy and competition.
