How to Read “Other people’s misfortunes taste like honey”
ひとのふこうはみつのあじ
Meaning of “Other people’s misfortunes taste like honey”
“Other people’s misfortunes taste like honey” describes a human tendency to feel secret pleasure when hearing about someone else’s troubles or failures, even while showing sympathy on the surface.
This feeling becomes especially strong when the person experiencing misfortune is someone you compare yourself to or someone who usually has the upper hand.
This proverb doesn’t just criticize people who enjoy others’ misfortunes. It honestly acknowledges a dark emotion that everyone carries inside.
When a successful coworker makes a mistake, or when someone who seems perfect shows a flaw, we sometimes feel relief or superiority.
These aren’t praiseworthy feelings, but they’re part of being human. We can’t completely eliminate them.
In modern society, this psychology appears in phenomena like social media posts about failures getting lots of attention.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb isn’t clear. But it has become widely established in Japanese society as an expression that sharply captures human psychology.
Looking at the phrase “taste like honey,” honey has been treasured as a precious sweetener since ancient times. Before sugar became common in Japan, honey symbolized the ultimate sweetness.
The structure of this saying is distinctive. It combines seemingly contradictory elements by comparing a dark human emotion to something “delicious.”
By likening another person’s misfortune to the most delicious thing imaginable, it vividly expresses the complex and contradictory nature of human psychology.
The West has a similar concept in the German word “Schadenfreude,” which refers to pleasure derived from others’ misfortune.
This is considered a universal human psychological phenomenon. Japan developed its own expression: “Other people’s misfortunes taste like honey.”
The spread of this expression likely reflects an intention to frankly acknowledge human nature and warn against it.
Rather than wrapping it in beautiful words, it deliberately uses the attractive metaphor of “taste like honey.” This memorably conveys both the strength and danger of this emotion that everyone possesses.
Interesting Facts
In psychology, this emotion is explained through the concept of “downward comparison.” People tend to maintain their self-esteem by comparing themselves to those who are less fortunate or who have failed.
This is considered one of our self-defense mechanisms.
Interestingly, this emotion is said to be the flip side of envy. Research shows that the more envious you normally feel toward someone, the stronger your reaction to their misfortune.
In other words, the intensity of your interest is proportional to the magnitude of your pleasure.
Usage Examples
- Seeing news about a rival company’s scandal, this is no time to celebrate as if other people’s misfortunes taste like honey
- Hearing that the guy who’s always bragging failed, I’m ashamed of myself for thinking other people’s misfortunes taste like honey
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Other people’s misfortunes taste like honey” has been passed down for so long because it accurately captures an essential human weakness.
We all want to be our ideal selves, yet we can’t escape emotions like envy and superiority. This proverb teaches us the importance of acknowledging this contradiction without hiding it.
Why do people find sweetness in others’ misfortunes? It’s almost like our destiny as beings who constantly live through comparison.
When measuring our own worth, people tend to judge by relative position among others rather than absolute standards.
If someone else falls, we relatively rise. This simple psychological mechanism is what makes misfortune taste sweet.
However, the true value of this proverb isn’t in blaming people for having such feelings. It’s in making us aware of them.
By using the attractive expression “taste like honey,” it acknowledges that anyone can become captive to this emotion.
No one is perfect. That’s precisely why the effort to observe our own mental movements and try to control them is what constitutes human dignity.
Perhaps this is what the proverb quietly tells us.
When AI Hears This
The human brain constantly seeks information about “where am I positioned within the group?” But measuring your absolute ability is difficult.
For example, to judge “Am I smart?” you have no choice but to compare yourself to others. Here, information theory offers an interesting perspective.
When others are succeeding, your position information remains ambiguous. In other words, information entropy—or uncertainty—is high.
But when someone else fails, your relative position rising becomes instantly clear. This “sudden decrease in uncertainty” generates a reward signal in the brain.
It’s the same mechanism as the pleasure when a puzzle piece clicks into place.
What’s even more interesting is that this information is obtained with minimal effort. Observing someone else’s failure costs far less than succeeding through your own effort.
The brain’s reward system seems to calculate pleasure intensity as “information amount ÷ acquisition cost.” That’s why failure stories are endlessly consumed on social media.
Just by scrolling, you get massive amounts of information that your relative position has risen.
The expression “taste like honey” also makes sense. Sugar is an immediate energy source for the brain, directly linked to survival.
Information about relative advantage gained from others’ misfortunes is processed by the brain as an equally fast-acting reward for social survival.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of having the courage to honestly acknowledge the dark parts of our hearts.
When you feel a moment of pleasure seeing someone’s failure on social media, don’t deny it. Start by accepting it: “Ah, I’m the kind of person who has these feelings too.”
What matters is the choice you make after noticing that emotion. Even if you feel momentary pleasure inside, you can choose not to show it outwardly.
You can choose not to spread that feeling further. And if possible, you can choose actions that show compassion for the other person.
This entire process is what constitutes growth as a human being.
In modern society, information about others’ misfortunes spreads instantly. That’s exactly why this old proverb’s teaching takes on fresh meaning.
The dark emotion that surfaces in your heart isn’t yours alone. It’s proof that you’re human.
But how you handle that emotion determines your character. Look at your own heart and make better choices.
The accumulation of such small daily efforts is what truly makes you grow.
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