Resentment, Ressentiment and Envy – A Philosophical View

Definitions:
Envy versus Resentment: Envy is a feeling of wanting what someone else has, often accompanied by a sense of inadequacy or inferiority. Resentment, on the other hand, is a more complex emotion characterized by bitter indignation and anger stemming from a perceived injustice or mistreatment. Essentially, envy can be a catalyst for resentment when the envied person's perceived advantage is seen as undeserved or unfair.

Ressentiment: There is a difference between the term Resentment and Ressentiment. “The primary difference between resentment and ressentiment lies in their duration and intensity. Resentment is a more short-term, reactive emotion to a specific perceived injustice or wrong, while ressentiment is a more enduring, deeply rooted psychological state stemming from a long-term feeling of envy and hatred that cannot be satisfied.” However, they are related terms.

The Philosophical View
The philosophy of resentment, particularly as explored by Friedrich Nietzsche, examines the psychological and social forces that drive individuals and groups to feel anger and hostility towards those they perceive as stronger or more successful. It highlights how resentment can lead to the creation of value systems that attack the perceived source of frustration, rather than addressing the underlying insecurities.

The following text is by Martin Butler (2025)
“Nietzsche on Ressentiment: The Poison of the Weak” (based on "On the Genealogy of Morals" by Nietzsche - 1887)

“Friedrich Nietzsche, the fierce German philosopher of the 19th century, had a radical take on morality, power, and the psychology of human emotion. One of his most powerful critiques revolves around a concept he called "Ressentiment"—a deep-seated resentment harboured by the powerless against the powerful.

According to Nietzsche, Ressentiment arises when individuals or groups who are weak or oppressed lack the strength to act out their frustrations directly. Instead of confronting their condition or overcoming it, they invert values and declare the strong, successful, and noble to be "evil," while calling their own weakness, humility, and suffering "good."

This psychological reversal gives birth to what Nietzsche calls "slave morality." It’s a morality of denial—denial of life, of instincts, of ambition. It turns strength into sin and celebrates meekness as virtue. In contrast, "master morality"—which Nietzsche admired—is based on self-affirmation, creativity, and life-enhancing values.

He believed that Christianity, for instance, was a historical product of ressentiment—emerging from oppressed groups in the Roman Empire who transformed their resentment into a universal moral system. Instead of overcoming their suffering, they redefined it as holiness.

Nietzsche’s message wasn’t to justify domination but to challenge humanity to overcome resentment, to become creators of new values, and to rise above the herd mentality. His ideal was the Übermensch—the individual who transcends resentment and affirms life fully, without need for revenge or moral scapegoating.

To Nietzsche, resentment is poison—slow, bitter, and corrosive to both the individual and society. True power, he argued, is not in victimhood but in creation.” End of Butler citation.

Ressentiment as a Defence Mechanism
Ressentiment functions as a defence mechanism, preventing the individual from addressing their own insecurities and flaws by creating an external enemy.

Social and Political Implications
Resentment can be a powerful force in social and political movements, driving individuals to challenge existing power structures and create new value systems.

Schopenhauer does not explicitly use the term "ressentiment" in the way that Nietzsche does. However, Schopenhauer's philosophy does address the concept of envy and its role in human suffering, which is closely related to what Nietzsche would later term "ressentiment." Schopenhauer saw envy as stemming from the fundamental nature of the will, which is inherently striving and insatiable, leading to constant comparisons and dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction, fuelled by the will's relentless desire, can manifest as envy when individuals perceive others as having what they lack.

The Modern View:
Individual Psychology
Resentment can be understood as a form of emotional distress that can negatively impact relationships and well-being.

Collective Resentment
Resentment can also be a force that unites groups of people who feel they have been wronged by a particular group or system. (“Who hates together belongs together”).

Populism and Political Polarisation
Resentment has been linked to the rise of populism, where political leaders exploit social discontent and perceived elite failure to gain support.

Conclusion: By understanding the origins and consequences of resentment, we can better address its destructive potential and harness its potential for positive social change.

Please find suggestions for possible questions in the comment section.