Ignorance: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that when someone is ignorant of the dangers involved in a situation, they may act more boldly or recklessly than someone who is aware of the risks

"She acted boldly without realising the danger — nothing so bold as a blind mare."

"The new manager made sweeping changes without understanding the consequences — nothing so bold as a blind mare."

used to suggest that some people are so stubborn and resistant to new ideas or information that they refuse to listen or pay attention, even if it is in their best interest

"He refused to listen to any advice — there are none so deaf as those who will not hear."

"We tried to warn him about the dangers, but there are none so deaf as those who will not hear."

used to imply that people may choose to remain ignorant of certain things to protect themselves from potential emotional distress

"If you do not know about a problem, you do not worry about it — what the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve over."

"He chose not to investigate the rumours because what the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve over."

used to suggest that when someone lacks knowledge or understanding about a certain subject, they tend to have a heightened admiration or reverence for it

"He admires what he does not understand — admiration is the daughter of ignorance."

"The audience was dazzled by technical jargon they could not follow — admiration is the daughter of ignorance."

used to imply that someone with a narrow-minded perspective can never fully understand the vastness and diversity of the world beyond their limited environment or worldview

"He has no idea what the world outside his town is like — a frog in the well knows nothing of the sea."

"The executive who had never worked outside headquarters struggled to understand global operations — a frog in the well knows nothing of the sea."

used to imply that ignorance is a result of one's own choices or lack of effort to gain knowledge and understanding, and that it can lead to negative consequences

"Not learning when you have the chance is a choice — ignorance is a voluntary misfortune."

"She had every resource available but chose not to use them — ignorance is a voluntary misfortune."

used to suggest that not knowing certain information can be preferable to facing it, particularly when it is unpleasant or burdensome

"Sometimes not knowing saves you from worry — ignorance is bliss."

"He had no idea how close the company came to collapsing — in this case, ignorance was bliss."

used to imply that some people choose to ignore the truth and refuse to see what contradicts their beliefs

"He refused to accept any evidence — there are none so blind as those who will not see."

"Despite clear data, the director rejected every finding — there are none so blind as those that will not see."

used to imply that people may be unable to see the flaws or potential dangers in something they strongly believe in, due to their emotional investment in it

"He could not see the flaws in his own plan — men are blind in their own cause."

"She fought hard for a position that everyone else could see was wrong — men are blind in their own cause."

used to suggest that people often lack knowledge or understanding of the lives of others, especially when their lifestyles, experiences, and perspectives are very different

"Most people have no idea how others really live — half the world knows not how the other half lives."

"The wealthy neighbourhood and the struggling estate were ten minutes apart — half the world knows not how the other half lives."