Not that far

 

 

Quite far, in fact.

The misquote states that ignorance is bliss.

The original states nothing of the sort; it says only that if you're happy being ignorant - not that you are, not that you should be - then you're an idiot to try to stop being ignorant.

 

^ and that's why the "misquote" isn't that far from the intended meaning.

 

But the original comment was not pertaining to someone who, is happy, and is "attempting to stop being ignorant." Rather, it's a comment on how it must be blissful to be ignorant (only with a derogatory tone). These nuances make it quite different.

 

+ = poor grammar!

 

there is WIN everywhere I look in this thread

 

If the misquoting author's intent is derogatory, then yes, I agree it is being used incorrectly. But if the author's intent is to offer well-meaning advice about the pursuit of certain knowledge, then the second half of Gray's quotation can easily be implied. The intent would be author specific and would reflect his/her stance on the pursuit (or lack thereof) of knowledge.

 

lack thereof

 

Who gives a crap about the "original quote." Maybe GC is not trying to quote that particular person. Maybe he's actually just saying: "Ignorance is bliss." It's kind of like saying, "What you don't know won't hurt you." The statement, "Ignorance is bliss" doesn't seem to be related to magician's quote at all... other than the fact that it has the same words in it. One is a standalone statement. One is just a phrase within a larger context.