It is a sad fact that human beings are capable of taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. This was an opinion expressed by François de La Rochefoucauld in the 17th century in a book of maxims. It counters the suggestion that people are naturally compassionate and eager to help others.
Of course, people can and do come to the aid of their fellow human beings. But a friend in need is not always an entirely unpleasurable circumstance.
Bad luck visited upon others might be a reminder of our own good fortune. I don’t think anyone would react that way to profound tragedy, but a dip in success from which one can recover can produce a guilty pleasure.
François de La Rochefoucauld elegantly expressed uncomfortable truths such as “We are all strong enough to bear the misfortunes of others” or “It is great folly to seek to be wise…on one’s own”.
odespinner 