smile, and the world smiles with you; cry, and you cry alone
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Sources & notes
Listed on English Wikiquote “English proverbs” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “smile, and the world smiles with you; cry, and you cry alone” mean?
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Is “smile, and the world smiles with you; cry, and you cry alone” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.