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Misery loves company

Meaning: Unhappy people seek others who are also suffering.

Origin: Latin origin, popularized in English by Christopher Marlowe.

Translations

  • French: La misère aime la compagnie (literally: Misery loves company)
  • Spanish: Mal de muchos, consuelo de tontos (literally: The ill of many is the consolation of fools)
  • Japanese: 同病相憐れむ (Dōbyō ai awaremu) (literally: Those with the same illness sympathize with each other)

More proverbs about Human Nature

  • Out of sight, out of mind — We tend to forget things or people we don't see.
  • A cat has nine lives — Cats (or resilient people) survive many dangerous situations.
  • All's fair in love and war — Normal rules don't apply in romance or conflict.
  • A friend in need is a friend indeed — True friends show their worth during difficult times.
  • The squeaky wheel gets replaced — Constant complainers may be removed rather than accommodated.
  • Beauty is in the eye of the beholder — Perception of beauty is subjective and personal.

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