Nothing is as obnoxious as other people's luck.

Host: The quiet of the evening settled in as the soft light of the lamp bathed the room. Jack sat at the table, his fingers resting lightly on his cup, reflecting on F. Scott Fitzgerald's words. Jeeny stood near the window, gazing out at the street, contemplating the deeper meaning behind the statement.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about what F. Scott Fitzgerald said: ‘Nothing is as obnoxious as other people's luck.’ It’s such a sharp, almost bitter statement, isn’t it? The idea that when we see others succeeding, especially in ways we wish we could, it can feel like a personal injustice, almost as if their good fortune somehow makes us feel less worthy or capable.”

Jack: “Yes, exactly. Fitzgerald is pointing out something very human, isn’t he? The way that other people’s successes or good fortune can stir up jealousy, frustration, or even resentment. We’ve all been there, where we see someone else getting what we want or feel we deserve, and it makes us feel almost alienated from our own circumstances.”

Jeeny: “Right. It’s like their luck becomes a reminder of our own perceived failures or shortcomings. Rather than feeling happy for someone else's success, we can’t help but compare ourselves and wonder why things aren’t going as well for us. It’s a form of envy, but it’s also a form of frustration—because it makes us feel like life is somehow unfair, as if luck has been handed out to everyone but us.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepened as they both reflected on how common, yet uncomfortable, it is to feel that way. Jack’s fingers rested on the table, while Jeeny’s gaze softened, considering how easy it is to get lost in comparisons when it feels like others are living lives of unearned ease.

Jack: “It makes me think about how often we measure ourselves by other people’s successes, especially when we’re struggling. We forget that luck, success, or happiness are not things that are always in our control. Fitzgerald is showing us that there’s something inherently disruptive about seeing someone else’s life seemingly unfold with ease. It makes us question why things aren’t unfolding the same way for us.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And it’s not just about jealousy; it’s about the inequality of life itself. Luck isn’t something we can predict or understand. Some people have things handed to them, while others work endlessly without seeing the same results. Fitzgerald is capturing that frustration we feel when life seems to reward others for no apparent reason, leaving us wondering if we’ll ever get our fair share.”

Jack: “Yes, and I think part of the reason we find other people's luck so obnoxious is because it feels like a reminder of how much of life is out of our control. It forces us to confront the randomness of life—how success and happiness can sometimes be determined by factors we have no say over, whether it’s timing, opportunity, or sheer chance.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s that feeling of powerlessness—watching someone else’s good fortune unfold, and realizing there’s nothing you can do to change your own situation. Fitzgerald is showing us that while we can control how hard we work or how we approach life, there are still elements that remain random. And that can be really tough to accept.”

Host: The quiet in the room grew even deeper as they both reflected on the complexities of success, luck, and comparison. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s words had sparked a reflection on how, in times of frustration, seeing others succeed can feel like a challenge to our own sense of fairness or self-worth. Jack leaned back slightly in his chair, while Jeeny’s gaze turned from the window back to him, both understanding how natural it is to feel disheartened when confronted with others' seemingly effortless success.

Jack: “So, Fitzgerald is really highlighting how we often tie our sense of self-worth to what others are achieving, and when we see them ‘lucky,’ it makes us question why we’re not in that same position. Luck feels obnoxious because it serves as a reminder that success doesn’t always follow the rules we think it should. It’s more random than we care to admit.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And what Fitzgerald is getting at is that we need to recognize how much of life is unpredictable. Sometimes, other people’s luck isn’t a reflection of our failure—it’s just the way things go. And while we might feel frustrated by it, it’s important to focus on our own journey, our own efforts, rather than comparing ourselves to others.”

Host: The evening had fully settled in, the quiet understanding between them a reminder that luck can be both random and disruptive, but that our true worth doesn’t lie in comparing ourselves to others. F. Scott Fitzgerald had illuminated a truth about the human condition—the tension between our desires for fairness and the unpredictability of life. The world outside had darkened, but inside, there was light—a recognition that while we may not control luck, we can control how we respond to it, and find meaning in our own unique path.