Meaning
Finding comfort in others' misfortune is foolish.
Cultural Background
It is frequently used in academic and professional settings to discourage students or employees from justifying poor performance. Often used in family settings to teach children that they should focus on their own improvement rather than looking at what others are doing. Used in social contexts to criticize people who try to minimize their own problems by pointing out the problems of others.
Don't overthink
It is a fixed proverb. Don't try to change the words.
Use it carefully
It can sound judgmental. Use it with friends or in a teaching context.
Meaning
Finding comfort in others' misfortune is foolish.
Don't overthink
It is a fixed proverb. Don't try to change the words.
Use it carefully
It can sound judgmental. Use it with friends or in a teaching context.
Test Yourself
What is the correct ending for the proverb?
Mal de muchos, ...
The proverb is a fixed expression ending in 'consuelo de tontos'.
When should you use this proverb?
A friend says: 'I failed, but so did everyone else, so I'm happy.'
The proverb is used to point out that their comfort is based on a foolish premise.
Complete the sentence.
No te engañes con el ________ de muchos, consuelo de tontos.
The phrase starts with 'Mal de muchos'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Todos perdieron el tren.' B: '__________.'
This is the appropriate response to someone finding comfort in a shared negative situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMal de muchos, ...
The proverb is a fixed expression ending in 'consuelo de tontos'.
A friend says: 'I failed, but so did everyone else, so I'm happy.'
The proverb is used to point out that their comfort is based on a foolish premise.
No te engañes con el ________ de muchos, consuelo de tontos.
The phrase starts with 'Mal de muchos'.
A: 'Todos perdieron el tren.' B: '__________.'
This is the appropriate response to someone finding comfort in a shared negative situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, if you are a manager correcting a team's attitude, but be careful with the tone.
It can be if said to someone who is truly suffering, as it dismisses their pain.
That is perfectly fine, it is a very common variation.
Partially, but the Spanish phrase is more about the foolishness of the comfort.
It is neutral and widely used in all registers.
No, it is the opposite of comfort.
It implies that the person is not thinking clearly.
Yes, it is used in every Spanish-speaking country.
Related Phrases
A cada cerdo le llega su San Martín
contrastEveryone gets what they deserve.
El que ríe el último, ríe mejor
similarHe who laughs last, laughs best.
No hay mal que por bien no venga
contrastEvery cloud has a silver lining.
