the phrase is, "when you pick up one end of the stick, you pick up the other." what does this mean?

basically, when you accept something or someone.. you have to accept it as a WHOLE, not just half. ( as for people too )

When you say your going to do something, like "Picking up one half of the stick" you need to keep your word and "Pick up the other half" also and not drag the it for someone else to pick up. Another popular saying is "With great power comes great responsibility."

It means the bad comes with the good. And vice versa.