Ignorance Is Bliss

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Ignorance is bliss is also a proverb. A proverb is a short, common phrase or expression that imparts wisdom and advice or shares a universal truth. Synonyms of the term proverb include adage and aphorism. Here are some additional examples of well-known proverbs: Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge. Ignorance is certainly bliss for someone who doesn’t know that his or her spouse or romantic partner is stepping out with someone else. Of course, that bliss will be short-lived when the partner who is being cheated on discovers the truth.

If a financially responsible person is married to someone who hides frivolous spending while pretending to also be frugal, that person is living in a state of ignorant bliss. Of course, that will change when the truth about the person's wasteful spending comes out. The phrase originates from Thomas Gray's poem, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College," published in 1742. Although the figurative meaning of ignorance is bliss is much easier to deduce at a glance than the other example phrases above, it still isn’t intended to mean that the path to happiness is very clearly and always ignorance. Rather, it’s meant that sometimes you can be happier without knowing all of the information about a given thing or scenario. But, in general, knowledge is power.Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Antagonist Records has reissued the classic Face to Face album Ignorance is Bliss on vinyl (for the first time ever!) in celebration of its 20th anniversary. An idiom is an expression that’s intended meaning can’t fully be deduced just by looking at the words that comprise it. These words and phrases have a figurative rather than literal meaning. Even if you’ve never heard the term idiom, you have most likely heard many idiomatic expressions. Here are just a few of the most common idioms used today: The idiom originates from Thomas Gray's 18th-century poem, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College." It’s important to note that literary scholars stress that Gray didn’t mean it is always better to be ignorant versus well-informed, pointing to his use of the word where preceding the phrase. They say that this suggests he only meant that there are particular times in which ignorance may be more desirable than knowledge. To Know or Not to Know—Is Ignorance Really Bliss?

Childhood is often used to illustrate why ignorance is, in fact, bliss—an argument that the statement is true and has merit. For example, parents often feel the need to protect their children from an overabundance of knowledge and information, thinking it can be too much for their young, developing minds to process or bear. They believe ignorance can keep children from experiencing anything unpleasant and allow them to have a stress-free childhood. The phrase ignorance is bliss comes from the very end of the last stanza of the poem Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College penned by the poet Thomas Gray in 1742: In psychological consumer behavior studies, there is also what is known as the “blissful ignorance effect.” It turns out, consumers who know a great deal of information about a product aren’t usually as happy with it as people who have less knowledge about it. Experts say this is because the more information a consumer has, the greater their expectations and the more likely they are to be let down. If a person already knows how a product works, they might easily dismiss it if it has any problems or feel as if they didn’t buy the right thing. Ignorance is bliss for someone who’s trying to start a new business but is unaware of all the limitations to their strategy. That ignorance may be just the thing that propels them forward instead of seeing only obstacles.

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The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both. Gray is saying it is better to "walk in darkness", and be happy, even if that happiness is temporary, than to go through life with full knowledge of mortality and the ultimate vanity of all endeavors. The phrase itself doesn't promote carelessness. However, it can be misused to justify irresponsible behavior or the avoidance of necessary knowledge or action.

The phrase "ignorance is bliss" frequently appears in pop culture, usually referring to the idea of avoiding distressing truths or realities.Not knowing that people are sharing untrue gossip about you, so that your self-esteem doesn’t plummet and you aren’t made unnecessarily sad and hurt. If someone who is afraid of spiders doesn’t know there’s one living under the bed, ignorance would be bliss as long as the person is unaware that the spider is there. Hopefully, it never comes out to introduce itself! Ignorance is bliss" is generally considered neutral, but it can carry either positive or negative connotations depending on the context and the perspective of the speaker or listener.

That is well said; sometimes ignorance is bliss, especially when knowing too much could cause unnecessary stress. No, the phrase doesn't suggest that knowledge is bad. It only highlights that in some situations, not knowing certain information can spare one from worry or stress.Yet ah! why should they know their fate? Since sorrow never comes too late, And happiness too swiftly flies. Thought would destroy their paradise. No more; where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise." If Ignorance Is Bliss, Why Aren't There More Happy People?" is a book written by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson. The authors are known for their ability to unearth obscure facts, abstruse information, and amusing anecdotes, which they present in a witty and engaging manner. The phrase doesn't inherently suggest that ignorance is a choice or that it's always better to remain uninformed. The phrase suggests that being unaware or uninformed about certain aspects of life can sometimes result in happiness or tranquility. For example, not knowing about the potential risks or negative outcomes of a situation might save you from stress or anxiety. However, people often use this phrase with a degree of irony, implying that it's generally better to be informed and prepared. Remember that Ecclesiastes begins with "Vanity, vanity, vanity--all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2) and goes on to explicate this in exhaustive detail.