"They that desire to excel in too many matters, out of levity and vain glory, are ever envious. For they cannot want work; it being impossible, but many, in some one of those things, should surpass them. Which was the character of Adrian the Emperor; that mortally envied poets, and painters, and artificers, in works wherein he had a vein to excel."

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Added on April 10, 2026
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Original Language: English

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https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Essays_(Francis_Bacon)