envy

[jasonlulu_2000]

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings rather than your own[FONT=&#23435]．

Is "art" naturally used here? What does it mean?

Thanks!

Jason[/FONT]

 

[Raymott]

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings rather than your own．

Is "art" naturally used here? What does it mean?

Thanks!

Jason

Yes.

Art
2. the exercise of human skill (as distinguished from nature )
10. method, facility, or knack: the art of threading a needle ; the art of writing letters
12. artfulness; cunning
13. getsomething down to a fine art to become highly proficient at something through practice

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art

 

[jasonlulu_2000]

So in this case, envy means "the exercise of human skill", doesn't it?

Thanks again!

Jason

Yes.

Art
2. the exercise of human skill (as distinguished from nature )
10. method, facility, or knack: the art of threading a needle ; the art of writing letters
12. artfulness; cunning
13. getsomething down to a fine art to become highly proficient at something through practice

Art | Define Art at Dictionary.com

 

[Rover_KE]

So in this case, envy means "the exercise of human skill", doesn't it?

Certainly not!

It's 'art' that means the exercise of human skill (as distinguished from nature ).

And this wasn't the meaning of 'art' that Raymott highlighted.

Rover

 

[Raymott]

Certainly not!

It's 'art' that means the exercise of human skill (as distinguished from nature ).

And this wasn't the meaning of 'art' that Raymott highlighted.

Rover

Actually the bolding was in the original. For some reason jasonlulu is not applying the definitions where they belong.

jason:
If Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings rather than your own AND
'art' means the exercise of human skill, THEN
Envy is the exercise of human skill in counting the other fellow's blessings rather than your own.

Envy is the method, facility, or knack of counting the other fellow's blessings rather than your own.

 

[Barb_D]

I suggest that the word "art" is used a bit ironically, since being "good" at envying others is not generally considered something to set as a goal for yourself.