A variant on the envy theme is this little tale. To cut a long story shoert, friend A - high standard of living, lovely home etc., became bafflingly jealous of friend B because B's dh, after a very lean period when they were on their uppers in a tiny flat with 3 small kids, made a bit of money out of a small business investment he'd made a couple of years previously. The money came from his own skill and was totally legit - not dodgy share dealing or anything - but it A's reaction, not jealousy so much as rage really baffled me and I think a little less of her today for it. A already had everything and more that B and her dh were then able to acquire - decent house, better car etc., but above all a bit of financial security after a rather hand to mouth existence.