I didn't assume you agreed with the envy part. I do however find it absurd that envy is used in this context - since the word would never even be thought about

I didn't assume you agreed with the envy part. I do however find it absurd that envy is used in this context - since the word would never even be thought about in the serfdom case. Words do carry meanings after all. In this case we have the mortal sin of the individual instead of the righteous condemnation of societal injustice.