A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

1578 LYLY Euphues I. 238 In miserie Euphues it is a great comfort to haue a companion. 1620 T. SHELTON tr. Cervantes’ Don Quixote II. xiii. If that which is commonly spoken be true, that to haue companions in misery is a lightner of it, you may comfort me. 1775 T. GILBERT Letter 4 May in W. B. Clark et al. Naval Documents of American Revolution (1964) I. 279 All my Letters are inter septed by those Rebels who want Every one to be kept in Dark like themselves. (Misery Loves Company). 1851 H. D. THOREAU Journal 1 Sept. (1949) II. 440 If misery loves company, misery has company enough. 2002 Washington Post 21 Aug. F1 The question is how to salvage a difficult season. Refusing to open our depressing 401 (k) statements may work for a little while, but most of us need something more emotionally nourishing. (And besides, misery loves company.) 2005 J. VAN DE RUIT Spud (2006) 315 Fatty reckons that Geoff Lawson is suicidal because of Amanda and Emberton. I laughed loudly—misery loves company. ■ malice; misfortune

MISFORTUNES never come singly
Cf. early 14th-cent. Fr. ung meschief ne vient point seul, a misfortune does not come alone.

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  c 1300 King Alisaunder (EETS) 1.1276 Men telleth in olde mone [lament] The qued [harm] comuth nowher alone. 1509 A. BARCLAY Ship of Fools 236 Wyse men sayth, and oft it fallyth so..That one myshap fortuneth neuer alone. 1622 J. MABBE tr. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alfarache I. iii. Misfortunes seldome come alone. 1711 J. ADDISON Spectator 8 Mar. The Lady. . said to her Husband with a Sigh, My Dear, Misfortunes never come single. 1791 T. BURR Letter 27 July in M. L. Davis Memoirs of Aaron Burr (1836) I. 301 We certainly see the old proverb very often verified. ‘That misfortunes never come singly,’ that poor little woman is a proof. 1894 BLACKMORE Perlycross II. vii. As misfortunes never come single, the sacred day robbed him of another fine resource. 1931 ‘L. CHARTERIS’ Wanted for Murder v. Blessings, like misfortunes, never come singly. There was even a packet of Havana cigarettes.. behind the bath salts. 1981 G. MITCHELL Death-Cap Dancers v. ‘The car.. skidded and hit a tree.’ ‘Misfortunes never come singly. ■misfortune