every cloud has a silver lining

See entry for silver lining.

every cloud has a silver lining

1. There is something good in any bad situation.
   • 1881, National Academy of Code Administration (U.S.), Folio, page 417:

     Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation […]

   • 1887, Shakers, Religion, page 36:

     […] that "a little reserve and thou'lt fail surely," will prove to be true in our experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and so has every sorrow, […]

   • 1918, George Jean Nathan, Performing Arts, page 222:

     But the most popular attitude toward what we may call "sad" plays is the peculiar one of believing that, since every cloud has a silver lining, […]

   • 2007 March 6, Julie Rutterford, Life on Mars, Season 2, Episode 3:

     Patrick O'Brien: No hard feelings? I've been falsely accused, had the crap kicked out of me, now I have no job.
     Gene Hunt: Look on the bright side. Still got your health. So, you know, every cloud.

• every silver lining has a cloud
• every dark cloud has a silver lining
• the darkest hour is just before the dawn
• every rose has its thorn
• April showers bring May flowers
• necessary evil
• blessing in disguise
• it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good

• every silver lining has a cloud