ProverbHuman NatureInternational origin

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow

Meaning: Happiness multiplies and burdens lighten when shared with others.

Origin: Known as a Swedish proverb, and just as familiar in German, where the rhyme is credited to the poet Christoph August Tiedge (1752–1841): "Geteilte Freud' ist doppelt Freude, geteilter Schmerz ist halber Schmerz." Cicero made a similar point in On Friendship, saying friendship makes good fortune brighter and bad fortune lighter.

Equivalents in German

  • German: Geteiltes Leid ist halbes Leid, geteilte Freude ist doppelte Freude (literally: Shared suffering is half the suffering, shared joy is double the joy)

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