You shall not covet your fellow's house; you shall not covet your fellow's wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your fellow. (Exodus 20:14)
What is it to covet (in Hebrew; Lachmod)? It is to desire strongly, something that is not yours, to want something that can't be yours or is forbidden to you, or to lust after the fate of another and thus envy the success of your "brother." But can it be a sin to want, when you have not sinned? A person sins only when he has done or spoken wrongly. Nonetheless, it is Forbidden to covet your fellow's house or anything that is his, because it is this type of desire that most often leads to corruption and sin. Something that is not yours and cannot be yours, should not be coveted, for this would bring you nothing good.
"After a period of time, Cain bought an offering to Hashem of the fruit of the ground; and as for Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest. Hashem Turned to Abel and to his offering, but to Cain and to his offering He did not turn. This annoyed Cain exceedingly, and his countenance fell. Hashem Said to Cain, 'Why are you annoyed, and why has your countenance fallen? Surely, if you improve yourself, you will be Forgiven. But if you do not improve yourself, sin rests at the door. Its desire is toward you, yet you can conquer it.'" (Genesis 4:3-7).
One who "covets his fellow's house, his fellow's wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to his fellow," is not satisfied with his life and wants that which is not his, that he hasn't earned, and cannot be his. Such a person looks towards evil, for rather than improve himself, he desires what he hasn't earned and does not deserve. It is Forbidden to covet, because nothing can be gained this way. It is a waste of your thoughts and energy, and will lead you only towards sin. Rather, one should improve himself and earn what he desires, that he should deserve to be Blessed and live a good life.