Ignorance Is Bliss

Product Information

While knowledge is often valuable, there may be situations where not knowing something can bring peace or happiness, as suggested by the phrase "ignorance is bliss." However, this is context-dependent and varies based on individual perspectives and values. Final Thoughts About "Ignorance is Bliss" The phrase itself doesn't promote carelessness. However, it can be misused to justify irresponsible behavior or the avoidance of necessary knowledge or action. 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: Parents might experience a sense of ignorance is bliss if they’re unaware their child is sneaking out at night to date someone they don’t approve of. However, no one will be blissful when the “ cat’s out of the bag.” The phrase "ignorance is bliss" frequently appears in pop culture, usually referring to the idea of avoiding distressing truths or realities.

The phrase originates from Thomas Gray's poem, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College," published in 1742. Bliss (noun): Bliss is defined as complete and perfect happiness, an immense, utter joy and contentment that typically means also being oblivious to anything other than that delight. Synonyms for bliss include paradise, euphoria, heaven, rapture, and ecstasy. 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. 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.

To uncover the meaning of ignorance is bliss, let’s first look at the individual words that comprise this saying.

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! The idea presented by Thomas Gray and expressed in the stanza of the poem containing ignorance is bliss—chiefly that it’s sometimes better not to know one’s fate or the outcome of a given scenario—certainly wasn’t new at the time the work was written. It had been stated around 409 BC by the Greek playwright Sophocles and even quoted by the scholar Erasmus in the 16th century. What’s more, the similar saying what you don’t know can’t hurt you dates to around 1576. However, the first use of the precise wording ignorance is bliss can be traced to Thomas Gray’s poem. It has been used as a common phrase in the English language since then. 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. Relying on her happy pills, she chose to believe that ignorance is bliss in dealing with life's stressors. While the phrase might be used in such a context, it's generally understood that it does not advocate for wilful ignorance or the avoidance of critical or necessary knowledge.That is well said; sometimes ignorance is bliss, especially when knowing too much could cause unnecessary stress.

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. 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.

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.