Meaning: This idiom means that sometimes it’s better not to know certain things because knowledge or awareness of those things might cause worry or distress.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I didn’t want to hear the bad news about the company’s financial troubles—ignorance is bliss.”
- “He decided not to look at the weather forecast for the vacation, believing ignorance is bliss.”
- “Sometimes, ignorance is bliss when it comes to office gossip.”
Origin: The phrase “ignorance is bliss” was popularized by the English poet Thomas Gray in his 1742 poem Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College. The full line reads, “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise,” suggesting that in some cases, not knowing the truth can lead to happiness or peace of mind, while knowledge may bring discomfort or anxiety. The idea behind the phrase has endured, emphasizing the notion that certain truths can be unsettling, and sometimes, not knowing is a relief.
