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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hidden sadness harms the person feeling it, while hidden amusement often signals harm to others.
In plain terms
Internal pain hurts you, but internal joy for others means trouble for them.
What can you take from it?
Watch out for people who seem happy when others suffer.

Where it applies

  • judging character
  • reading people
  • social dynamics

Putting it to work

  • observe behavior
  • trust instincts
  • avoid toxic people

Questions to consider

  • What might someone be hiding when they smile at misfortune?
  • How do we spot hidden malice?

Another view

Not all private joy is malicious; some people just find irony in tragedy.

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