3 ms·

The OP's right though. This particular proverb refers to laughing or giggling, not smiling, and the article twists it to fit the narration.

by eps 8y ago

pandaman 8y ago
As another Russian I don't see how it's just about laughter or how any native speaker could think that. "Смех" in proverbs stands for general happiness just like "плач" (literally "crying") does for general unhappiness.
- zzzcpan 8y ago
  I think your confusion comes from not fully understanding the meaning of the word "smiling" here. You overgeneralize it a bit into laughter and giggling.
  - pandaman 8y ago
    The proverb is not far from English "Ignorance is bliss" it says that one who is happy without reason might be just stupid. TFA is actually talking about how Americans are trying to seem happy with their smiles so this proverb is appropriate here in my view. As for the literal interpretation of proverbs in general and this one in particular: nobody needs a proverb for "if you are laughing like a maniac for no reason then there might be something wrong with you".
    - azinman2 8y ago
      As an American I don’t think that “ignorance is bliss” indicates that the ignorant person is a fool, per se. Ignorance might be purposefully and carefully chosen. It’s often used as a general debate on whether you wish to know something or not. For example, if you could know the exact date on which you die, would you wish to know? Choosing yes or no wouldn’t indicate foolishness. It also sounds different from the several translations the Russians provided here.
      - pandaman 8y ago
        So, as an American, do you see any similarity between "you might be happier if you did not learn about your situation" and "if you are happy now it might be because you are not aware of your situation"? Could there be a common theme of ignorance leading to happiness or I am just seeing things?

3 ms·

The OP's right though. This particular proverb refers to laughing or giggling, not smiling, and the article twists it to fit the narration.

by eps 8y ago

The OP's right though. This particular proverb refers to laughing or giggling, not smiling, and the article twists it to fit the narration.

pandaman 8y ago
As another Russian I don't see how it's just about laughter or how any native speaker could think that. "Смех" in proverbs stands for general happiness just like "плач" (literally "crying") does for general unhappiness.
- zzzcpan 8y ago
  I think your confusion comes from not fully understanding the meaning of the word "smiling" here. You overgeneralize it a bit into laughter and giggling.
  - pandaman 8y ago
    The proverb is not far from English "Ignorance is bliss" it says that one who is happy without reason might be just stupid. TFA is actually talking about how Americans are trying to seem happy with their smiles so this proverb is appropriate here in my view. As for the literal interpretation of proverbs in general and this one in particular: nobody needs a proverb for "if you are laughing like a maniac for no reason then there might be something wrong with you".
    - azinman2 8y ago
      As an American I don’t think that “ignorance is bliss” indicates that the ignorant person is a fool, per se. Ignorance might be purposefully and carefully chosen. It’s often used as a general debate on whether you wish to know something or not. For example, if you could know the exact date on which you die, would you wish to know? Choosing yes or no wouldn’t indicate foolishness. It also sounds different from the several translations the Russians provided here.
      - pandaman 8y ago
        So, as an American, do you see any similarity between "you might be happier if you did not learn about your situation" and "if you are happy now it might be because you are not aware of your situation"? Could there be a common theme of ignorance leading to happiness or I am just seeing things?