What is envy according to Aristotle?

According to Aristotle, envy is defined as "pain at the good fortune of others" 1 . This philosophical take emphasizes the emotional discomfort one feels when witnessing someone else's success or possessions. Aristotle also delineates an "envy triangle," composed of three elements:

1. You (the subject)
2. The other person (the rival)
3. The object of envy (what the other person has that you want)

This triangle highlights that envy involves not just desiring something, but also a relational aspect involving comparison with another person 1 .