“Since knowledge is but sorrow's spy,
It is not safe to know.”
The Just Italian (licensed Oct. 2, 1629; printed 1630), Act v. Sc. 1.
Compare: "From ignorance our comfort flows", Matthew Prior, To the Hon. Charles Montague; "Where ignorance is bliss, ’T is folly to be wise", Thomas Gray, Eton College, Stanza 10.
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William Davenant3
English poet and playwright 1606–1668Related quotes
“Our times are still not safe and sane enough
for faces to show ordinary sorrow.”
Wisława Szymborska (1923–2012) Polish writer
"Smiles"
Poems New and Collected (1998), A Large Number (1976)
Context: The going's rough, and so we need the laugh
of bright incisors, molars of goodwill.
Our times are still not safe and sane enough
for faces to show ordinary sorrow.
“And as every spy knows, common enemies are how allies always begin.”
Ally Carter book Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Source: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Jasper Johns (1930) American artist
Watchman. Somewhere here, there is the question of "seeing clearly". Seeing what? According to what?
Book A (sketchbook), c 1965: as quoted in Jasper Johns, Writings, sketchbook Notes, Interviews, ed. Kirk Varnedoe, Moma New York, 1996, p. 60
1960s
“In much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
Solomon (-990–-931 BC) king of Israel and the son of David
Ecclesiastes, 1:18 http://bible.cc/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm, King James Version
Simon Blackburn (1944) British academic philosopher
Source: Think (1999), Chapter One, Knowledge, p. 17
“Since human knowledge is not perfect, a more knowledgeable person is not always right.”
Raheel Farooq Pakistani writer
Why I Am a Muslim: And a Christian and a Jew (2020)
“We can't spy on them if they aren't spying on us, now can we?" Warped logic, but okay.”
Gena Showalter (1975) American writer
Source: Alice in Zombieland