good things are often accompanied by hardship; joy rarely comes without trouble
A yojijukugo proverb meaning that happy events or good fortune are frequently accompanied by difficulties or obstacles. Used in a reflective or cautionary tone.
Preparing for the wedding was tough, but as they say, good things come with difficulties.
I finally got to study abroad, but the visa process was a struggle. Truly, joy is rarely unalloyed.
A similar proverb with the same meaning, literally 'good things, many demons'. More common in modern Japanese than 好事多磨.
Standard kanji form of this yojijukugo; 磨 (grind/polish) is the usual character.
Variant using 魔 (demon/obstacle); less common but attested.
Borrowed from the Chinese expression 好事多磨, literally “good affairs meet many impediments.” Here 磨 conveys obstruction or adversity.