where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise
- where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise
Now frequently abbreviated to ignorance is bliss.
1742 GRAY Poems (1966) 10 Thought would destroy their paradise. No more; where ignorance is bliss, ’Tis folly to be wise.
1865 SURTEES Facey Romford’s Hounds lxxi. Of course Facey knew nothing about Lucy, and, upon the principle that where ignorance is bliss ‘twere folly to be wise, Soapey was not extra-inquisitive about her.
1925 S. O’CASEY Juno & Paycock II. 49 ‘You ought to be ashamed o’ yourself..not to know the History o’ your country.’.. ‘Where ignorance’s bliss ’tis folly to be wise.’
1983 ‘J. GASH’ Sleepers of Erin i. Antique dealers haven’t a clue. Pathetic. God knows why, but dealers always want to prove that ignorance really is bliss.
2001 Times 23 Nov. 20 And the moral of our present situation is: If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?
Proverbs new dictionary.
Look at other dictionaries:
ignorance — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Lack of knowledge Nouns 1. ignorance, nescience; illiteracy; darkness, blindness; incomprehension, inexperience, simplicity, simpleness, innocence; stupidity; unawareness. See folly, insanity,… … English dictionary for students
wise — see it is easy to be wise after the event it is a wise child that knows its own father early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise a fool may give a wise man counsel fools ask questions that wise men cannot answer … Proverbs new dictionary
where — /hwair, wair/, adv. 1. in or at what place?: Where is he? Where do you live? 2. in what position or circumstances?: Where do you stand on this question? Without money, where are you? 3. in what particular respect, way, etc.?: Where does this… … Universalium
where — [[t](h)wɛər, wɛər[/t]] adv. 1) in or at what place?: Where is he? Where do you live?[/ex] 2) in what position or circumstances?: Where do you stand on this question? Without money, where are you?[/ex] 3) in what particular respect, way, etc.?:… … From formal English to slang
where — /wɛə / (say wair) adverb 1. in or at what place: where is she? where do you live? 2. in what position or circumstances: where do you stand on this question? without money where are you? 3. in what particular, respect, way, etc.: where does this… …
ignorance — see where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it … Proverbs new dictionary
folly — see where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise … Proverbs new dictionary
bliss — see where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
fol|ly — «FOL ee», noun, plural lies. 1. the fact or state of being foolish; lack of sense; unwise conduct: » It was folly to eat too much on the picnic. My only books Were women s looks, and folly s all they taught me (Thomas Moore). Where ignorance is… … Useful english dictionary
