To each his suff'rings: all are men, Condemn'd alike to groan, The tender for another's pain; Th' unfeeling for his own. 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.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker argues that knowing one's fate and the nature of sorrow would ruin happiness, so ignorance is better.
- In plain terms
- Humans all suffer, but thinking too much about it destroys their peace, so ignorance is bliss.
- What can you take from it?
- Thinking too deeply about fate and pain can destroy happiness.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is ignorance necessary for happiness?
- Can truth destroy paradise?
Another view
It suggests that awareness is inherently destructive to a good life.
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