公众的嫉妒对国家来说是一种可能蔓延的疾病，正如传染病可侵入健全的肌体并使之犯疾一样，国民一旦产生这种嫉妒，他们甚至会反对最合理的国家行为，并使这些行为背上恶名；

• It is a disease, in a state, like to infection. For as infection spreadeth upon that which is sound, and tainteth it; so when envy is gotten once into a state, it traduceth even the best actions thereof, and turneth them into an ill odor.