아는 것이 탈

Korean

Etymology

Native Korean 아는 + 것 + 이 + 탈. Literally, "Knowledge is evil."

Proverb

아는 것이 탈 (aneun geos-i tal)

1. folly to be wise, ignorance is bliss.

Alternative forms

• 아는 게 탈 (aneun ge tal)

Synonyms

• 아는 것이 병 (aneun geos-i byeong) Literally, "Knowledge is evil."
• 모르는 것이 약 (moreuneun geos-i yag) Literally, "Ignorance is bliss."
• 모르면 약이요 아는 게 병 (moreumyeon yag-iyo aneun ge byeong) Literally, "Ignorance is bliss; knowledge is evil."

• 식자우환 (識字憂患, sig-ja-u-hwan) Literally, "Knowledge is evil."
• 무지각 상팔자 (無知覺 上八字, mu-ji-gag sang-pal-ja) Literally, "Ignorance is bliss."

Usage notes

• Korean usage takes it that inaccurate, incomplete, or partial knowledge may well give way to agony, hence better to be ignorant, without any irony.