Bring not a bagpipe to a man in trouble.

The proverb warns against responding to another person’s troubles with merriment that does not suit their situation. What one person intends as a pleasant diversion may feel intrusive to someone in distress.

More broadly, it urges sensitivity to another person’s needs before trying to help. A response meant kindly can still be unwelcome if it ignores what the person is going through.

Use it to caution against an ill-timed attempt to lighten the mood when someone is dealing with a serious difficulty. It favors paying attention to the person’s circumstances rather than assuming that cheerfulness will help.