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 French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: La joie partagée est une double joie ; le chagrin partagé est une moitié de chagrin (literally: Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow)
- Spanish: La alegría compartida es doble alegría; la pena compartida es media pena (literally: Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow)
- Japanese: 喜びを分かち合えば二倍になり、悲しみを分かち合えば半分になる (Yorokobi wo wakachiaeba nibai ni nari, kanashimi wo wakachiaeba hanbun ni naru) (literally: Shared joy doubles; shared sorrow halves)
- German: Geteiltes Leid ist halbes Leid, geteilte Freude ist doppelte Freude (literally: Shared suffering is half the suffering, shared joy is double the joy)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- A hungry stomach has no ears — People cannot focus on anything else when their most basic needs are unmet.
- The fish sees the bait but not the hook — People are often tempted by apparent benefits while ignoring the hidden dangers.
- What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over — We only suffer from what we know about; ignorance can sometimes bring a measure of peace.
- We are what we repeatedly do — Character and identity are shaped not by occasional acts but by consistent daily habits.
- Rain does not fall on one roof alone — Hardship and misfortune are universal; no single person suffers alone.
- You can't see the forest for the trees — Being too focused on small details can prevent you from seeing the overall picture.
From our idioms
- throw in the towel — to give up; to concede defeat.
- keep your chin up — to remain optimistic; to stay courageous during difficulty.
- pitter-patter of little feet — the sound of children running; anticipation of having babies.