Learning French: when and why do we say faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur?
An optimistic proverb to make the best of a bad situation
A similar English phrase is: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade
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“Il faut faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur.”
This motivational phrase pushes us to face misfortune with a positive attitude. It would be the perfect encouragement for a friend who has received bad news or experiences a series of unlucky situations.
Read also: Unveiling 'avoir la poisse': exploring the origins and usage of the French expression for bad luck
We will look at how to integrate this phrase into your French proverb toolkit and trace its origins back to the 2nd Century BC.
What does faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur mean?
It literally translates as: facing bad fortune with a good heart.
In other words, it is an encouragement to keep spirits high and continue moving forward, despite difficulties and setbacks.
The expression can also be interpreted as making do with what we have and accepting compromise.
Read also: Exploring 'avoir du bol': unveiling the quirky origins of a popular French expression
There exist many similar phrases in English (some more surprising than others):
To make the best of a bad situation
Out of adversity comes opportunity
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
When one door closes another one opens
What you lose on swings you gain on roundabouts
Every cloud has a silver lining
What are the origins of faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur?
This expression is considered to be of Latin origin, initially appearing as faire contre mauvaise fortune bon coeur est un soutien. It was first reported in the Italian comedy Captivi (The Prisoners) by Plautus, in the 2nd century BC.
The modern variation of this expression is thought to date back to the 17th Century.
Another theory suggests it comes from the fusion of two French proverbs: contre mauvaise fortune (against misfortune) and bon cœur vaillant (good, brave heart). They gradually merged to form the expression.
This positive attitude stems from the traditional value of overcoming adversity with dignity. It suggests it is preferable to face difficulties with optimism rather than pessimism.
Read also: Understanding 'impossible n'est pas français': meaning, origins, and usage
When do you say faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur?
It can be used as a response to someone who is needing encouragement:
Statement: Il y a une grève des transports et je ne peux pas retourner chez mes parents pour mon anniversaire. - There is a transport strike so I can’t spend my birthday with my parents.
Response: Il faut faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur. On va inviter les voisins pour une soirée. - Look on the brightside. We can invite our neighbours for a party.
This phrase can refer to having a positive attitude in a negative situation:
You can also say this when coming to a compromise:
To whom do you say faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur?
It is considered neutral language which can be used in many different contexts, with family, friends, colleagues or strangers. It can also appear in both written and spoken forms.
Similar terms in French include:
