On Desire: Why we want what we want P. 216
People who try to outshine their neighbors are engaged in a curious kind of social competition. If they lose, they feel pangs of envy; if they win, they typically do so at considerable financial cost and run the risk of becoming targets of their neighbors’ envy. A thoughtful person will think twice about engaging in a competition in which, no matter whether you win or lose, you are worse off.”