Misery Loves Company – Meaning, Origin & Usage

You only need to have one miserable person in a group before someone mutters “misery loves company”. However, this phrase can have all sorts of connotations, and is often used as a precursor for other, similar sayings on the topic of misery and company.

In this article, we’re going to cover everything that might be inferred from the phrase, and explain how it is believed that the proverb originated. We will also cover examples of the phrase in use in literature and pop culture, and similar sayings from around the world 

Then, we’ll explain through examples how you can use the phrase “misery loves company” in conversation, and we’ll even throw in a section where we answer your most frequently asked questions on the subject.

By the end you’ll be sure to feel like an expert on the subject. Sp, without further ado, let’s get straight to it. 

What does the phrase “misery loves company” mean?

Primarily, the famous proverb “misery loves company” is believed to mean that people who are unhappy or miserable tend to take comfort in their situation by letting others know how they are feeling, and in doing so share the sorrow.

It’s also considered to be a way of saying that a person who is miserable often seeks  out the company of others, and that the misery tends to spread from them and infect the others with whosoever the miserable person interacts with. 

Historical origins of the saying “misery loves company”

There is still debate to this day about the true origin of the phrase !misery loves company”. The person most frequently credited with coming up with the proverb was Christopher Marlowe, in his play titled The Tragical Life of Doctor Faustus, which was published in the 1500’s.

In the play, a demon by the name of Mephastophilis says, in Latin, in Scene 5, “Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris”. This roughly translates to “It is a comfort to the unfortunate to have had companions in woe” . Or, to put it more simply, “misery loves company”.

In the play, Dr Faust is preparing to give up all hope by signing a pact with the devil in exchange for 24 years of living with his desires being fulfilled. The quote was a response to Faust’s question about why Satan sought to enlarge his kingdom. 

That said however, there does appear to be an earlier instance of this sentiment in use. A 14th century Italian historian, by the name of Dominick de Gravina had already penned the proverb in his work Chronicon de rebus in Apulia gestis.

One John Ray (1627–1705) has also been credited with the saying “misery loves company, and this quote appears in his collection of English proverbs. Several others have used the proverb as a starting point for their own reflections of misery and company.

For example, the 19th-century American essayist Henry David Thoreau is known to have said “If misery loves company, misery has company enough.”. Then , sometime later the American architect Addison Mizner said “Misery loves company, but company does not reciprocate.” This is followed by another quote, this time from the 20th-century Irish novelist Brian Moore who said “If misery loves company, then triumph demands an audience.”

It has also been suggested that the proverb “misery loves company” dates as far back as Ancient Greece, since it is said to have appeared in the work of Sophocles at around 408 BCE. The saying was deemed to mean that people who are unhappy find it easier to bear their troubles when they share them with others who are going through similar experiences.  

How you can use the phrase “misery loves company” in conversation

There are many different ways you can use the phrase “misery loves company” in conversation. For instance, you can use the phrase apologetically when you are unburdening yourself of your own misery, or you can use the phrase to describe how you have found someone’s misery contagious or infectious, if they are depressing to be around.

Here are some examples of the phrase in use.

• I’m sorry for dumping all of this on your shoulders. You know what they say, misery loves company and all that.

• Oh no, not to worry. Yes misery loves company, but a problem shared is a problem halved, as they say.

• Misery loves company, but company does not reciprocate.

• Misery loves company, but karma will come in a full circle.

• If misery loves company, why can’t miserable people find each other instead of trying to convert others?

• If misery loves company, misery has company enough.

• If misery loves company, then triumph demands an audience.

Examples of the phrase “misery loves company” in literature and pop culture

In English literature, there are many examples of stories where characters find solace and support in one another, thus exemplifying the concept of misery loving company, and how it can be benefited from. Examples include Stephen King’s Misery, Alice Walker’s The Colour Purple, and Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit.

The theme is also explored in TV and film, including The Devil Wears Prada, where overworked employees, Andy and Nigel, bond over the shared torment of working under Miranda Priestly.

There has even been a song called “Misery loves company” released in the 1960’s by Porter Wagoner, which explicitly reflects the proverb and invites others to join in the sorrow with the lyric “Misery loves company, so I’ll just stay around.”

Similar sayings to “misery loves company” in the English language

Given that there are so many different interpretations of the quote, you may decide to use an alternative yet synonymous phrase in its place. With that in mind, here follows a selection of similar sayings to replace “misery loves company”:

• Misery seeks company
• Misery breeds company
• Misery enjoys company
• Misery attracts company
• Like attracts like
• Misery spreads like a virus
• Misery begets misery
• Misery needs company
• Misery is catching

The following phrases aren’t exactly synonymous with the quote “misery loves company”, however, you may find them to be relevant in the same situation:

• Misery and joy are contagious
• Bad news travels fast
• Bad news travels like wildfire
• Getting things off my/his/her/their chest
• A problem shared is a problem halved
• That’s the law of attraction in action
• No use crying over spilt milk
• It can’t be that bad
• Yeah, life sucks sometimes
• He/she/they are putting everyone on a downer
• My heart bleeds
• Please don’t be miserable
• Schadenfreude
• Commiseration
• Sour grapes

Similar sayings to “misery loves company” from all around the world

You may not be surprised to learn that the English proverb “misery loves company” has alternative, synonymous sayings in other languages across the globe. Here are some hand-picked examples for you to ponder over.

• The Polish proverb “Nieszczęścia chodzą parami,” which translates to “Unhappiness comes in pairs”.
• The German word “schadenfreude” which has since entered English, is a noun for “finding joy in someone else’s misfortune”. The word is a combination of the German words “schaden”, which means “harm” or “damage,” and “freude”, which means “joy”. 
• The German word “verschlimmbessern”, which is a mix of “verschlimmern”, which means to make worse, and “verbessern”which means to improve. It describes a situation where you unintentionally make something worse than it was initially when you’re really just trying to improve it.
• Spanish: Desgracia compartida, menos sentida or mal de muchos, consuelo de tontos 
• Turkish: El ile gelen düğün bayram or sefalet, ızdırap içinde olan kendisi gibi olanları sever veya kendisi gibi olanlarla birlikte olmayı ister 
• French: Un mal et un péril ne vient jamais seul 
• Chinese: 不快乐的人喜欢向人诉苦 

FAQs

Was it Shakespeare who coined the quote “misery loves company”?

No, while Shakespeare had much to say about the likes of misery and the company of others, he is not quoted as having said “misery loves company” in any of his works.

What does the Christian Bible say about “misery loves company”?

While the Christian Bible doesn’t feature the phrase “misery loves company”, there is written content on the subject. Specifically, to encourage followers to support and uplift one another in times of trouble (Galatians 6:2). 

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 12:15, Christians are called to bear one another’s burdens and offer compassionate help.

Final word

So, in short, the phrase “misery loves company” refers  to the concept of a miserable person or persons finding comfort when they find themselves with company and disclose what is making them feel miserable, thus spreading the misery.

While the proverb is known to be a very old one, the precise initial origin of the term is yet to be determined, though it has been the subject of much speculation over the years.

There are many alternative and synonymous sayings that can often be used in it’s place in the English language. There also happen to be several similar sayings in languages from all around the world.

The saying “misery loves company” has been the inspiration for other, similar quotes, as as in song and other media.