- English translation
Fortunate is the one who makes me weep, so that people weep over me too; woe to the one who makes me laugh, so that people end up laughing at me.
- Literal wording
O the luck of whoever made me cry and made the people cry over me, and O the woe of whoever made me laugh and made the people laugh at me.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying contrasts two kinds of companions. One delivers painful truths that may bring tears, even public sorrow, yet deserves gratitude and is counted fortunate for that honesty, in good name and moral credit rather than chance or gain. The other keeps someone cheerful by indulging their errors, and earns condemnation because that comfort leads to humiliation.
As advice, it teaches that bitter counsel is worth more than pleasant encouragement of one's faults. Discomfort caused by a sincere critic is a gift. Easy laughter offered by an agreeable companion can be a trap, ending in others mocking the person who was never told the truth.
- When it is used
Suitable for urging someone to welcome harsh but honest correction and to value the person who offers it. It also warns against companions who flatter or indulge someone's faults until those faults make that person a laughingstock.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Fortunate is the one who makes me weep, so that people weep over me too; woe to the one who makes me laugh, so that people end up laughing at me.