<P> A silver lining is a metaphor for optimism in the common English - language which means a negative occurrence may have a positive aspect to it . </P> <P> The origin of the phrase is most likely traced to John Milton's "Comus" (1634) with the lines, </P> <P> Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud Turn forth her silver lining on the night? </P>

Who said every cloud has a silver lining