Proverbs 14:30 (NKJV) — 30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

Sources of health and illness. In the context of this verse, a “sound heart” is more than a physically healthy heart. It is sound in the sense of being pure and clean. It does not harbor bitterness, envy, pride, greed, or moral impurity. One of the greatest contributing factors to physical and emotional health is spiritual soundness. By contrast, envy contributes to physical and emotional illness. It is “rottenness to the bones,” which indicates a serious condition indeed, for bone marrow to a large degree is responsible for the condition of one’s health. The marrow contributes to the condition of the blood, which carries life-giving oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body.

[archive]