What does “Better be envied than pitied.” mean?
"Better be envied than pitied" means it is better to have people admire you and be envious of your success than to have them feel sorry for you.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I always strive to achieve success and be envied by others. Better be envied than pitied.
Example
I'd rather work hard and be successful, even if it means some people might be envious of me. Better be envied than pitied.
Example
I believe that it's important to live a fulfilling life and be admired by others. *Better be envied than pitied.
Is “Better be envied than pitied.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Better be envied than pitied.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Better be envied than pitied.” effectively in context?
You can use "Better be envied than pitied" to express the idea that it is preferable to have others admire and be envious of your success rather than feeling sorry for you. It emphasizes the importance of achieving personal fulfillment and being proud of one's accomplishments. For example, if someone questions your ambitious goals, you might respond, 'I'd rather work hard and be successful, even if it means some people might be envious of me. Better be envied than pitied.'
- 1Personal Success
I always strive to achieve success and be envied by others. Better be envied than pitied.
- 2Ambition
I'd rather work hard and be successful, even if it means some people might be envious of me. Better be envied than pitied.
- 3Fulfillment
I believe that it's important to live a fulfilling life and be admired by others. Better be envied than pitied.
Similar phrases to “Better be envied than pitied.”:
Success breeds envy
When someone achieves success, it often leads to others feeling envious or jealous.
Example
Her promotion at work sparked envy among her colleagues. Success breeds envy.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Better be envied than pitied.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Better be envied than pitied" is unknown.
Is “Better be envied than pitied.” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Better be envied than pitied" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more often seen in written or formal contexts, such as literature or speeches, where the use of proverbs is more common.
What tone does “Better be envied than pitied.” have?
"Better be envied than pitied" conveys a tone of self-confidence and pride. It suggests that it is better to be successful and have others admire you than to be in a position where others feel sorry for you.
Can “Better be envied than pitied.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Better be envied than pitied" is considered formal. It is not commonly used in casual conversations but may be used in more formal settings such as speeches, presentations, or when expressing strong opinions in writing.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Better be envied than pitied" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I always strive for success and believe that it's better to be envied than pitied.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Better be envied than pitied!' to emphasize the importance of personal success.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- better to be admired than pitied
- it's preferable to be envied than pitied
- rather be envied than pitied
- prefer to be admired than pitied
- it's better to have others envy you than pity you
Antonyms
- better to be pitied than envied
- it's preferable to be pitied than envied
- rather be pitied than envied
- prefer to be pitied than envied
- it's better to have others pity you than envy you
