ProverbHuman Nature
Latin origin
Latin originWhat the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over
Meaning: We only suffer from what we know about; ignorance can sometimes bring a measure of peace.
Origin: A medieval proverb, quoted in Latin in a sermon credited to Saint Bernard as quod non videt oculus cor non dolet — what the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve. James Kelly's Scottish Proverbs (1721) has "What the eye sees not, the heart rues not."
Equivalents in Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, and Polish
Spanish: Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente (literally: Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel)
German: Was ich nicht weiß, macht mich nicht heiß (literally: What I don't know doesn't make me hot (doesn't bother me))
Italian: Occhio non vede, cuore non duole (literally: The eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't ache)
Portuguese: O que os olhos não veem, o coração não sente (literally: What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't feel)
Dutch: Wat niet weet, wat niet deert (literally: What doesn't know doesn't hurt)
Polish: Czego oczy nie widzą, tego sercu nie żal (literally: What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't regret)
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