“Calamities are of two kinds: misfortunes to ourselves, and good fortune to others”
— Ambrose Bierce
Simplified Meaning:
When bad things happen to us, we feel unlucky or unfortunate. At the same time, we might also feel upset or jealous when good things happen to other people instead of us. Imagine you studied very hard for an exam, but didn’t get the best score. You feel bad and think this is a misfortune. Then, you see your friend celebrating because they got the top score. Even though it’s good for your friend, it might feel like another kind of bad luck to you because you wish you had their success. This idea shows that we often see trouble in not only our own problems but also in others' success. To feel better, it's helpful to focus on our own efforts and achievements rather than comparing with others. We can support and celebrate their good fortune, which helps us feel happier and less stressed.
