Do you know someone who doesn't recognize a situation (or its solution) even when it might be staring them right in the face? The expression 'There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)' is one that you can use to apply to them. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this very common expression.
Meaning
The common saying 'There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)' is a figurative saying that is used to apply to people who are perceived to ignore an issue, a problem or a solution even though what is being ignored is obvious.
The expression 'There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)' is often used as if it were a direct quote, even though most people cannot correctly attribute exactly where this phrase originates from or was first used.
The term is used to imply someone's ignorance, which is often seen or pointed out to be deliberate.
The term is not used as a literal phrase by any means, but it is used to imply that someone is metaphorically “blind” to something and does not “see” its outcome or consequences.
Sometimes the quote is used in the same phrase as similar quotes from the Bible even though Biblical texts are unlikely to be the first use of the term.
A similar expression says that, “[person] wouldn't know [issue] if it bit them in the behind” and the expression is very similar in its meaning of deliberate ignorance to what is being said or discussed.
The term has been popular for hundreds of years, and eventually entered more popular use as a quote that can now be found in different forms of media like video games, movies and series.
Example Usage
“They could have guessed what the response to their new promotion was going to be before they renamed the soda for the consumer market. There are none as blind as those who will not see.”
“We all know that our mother's cupcakes are not the best, but we all believe they are. There are none as blind as those who will not see.”
“The relationship should have ended years ago, but they were both still hanging on to it even though it was a terrible idea. You know what people say, there are none as blind as those who will not see.”
“Nobody liked the new Madonna song, but all of you still went out and bought the single. There are none as blind as those who do not see.”
Origin
The origin and early use of the term 'There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)' is reported to go back to the mid-1500s, where the popularity of the expression is credited to early use by John Heywood in the year 1546.
After the likely early use by Heywood in the 1500s, the term was again made popular by the writer Jonathan Swift who used the term in his essay “Polite Conversations”.
After this date, the expression is said to have been translated into English versions of the Bible – and this is why many people mistakenly believe the Bible to be the first origin of this phrase.
Phrases Similar to There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)
- The blind leading the blind
Phrases Opposite to There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- There are none as blind (as those who will not see)
- There are none as blind as those who will not see
Ways People May Say There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See) Incorrectly
There are ways to use the term in the wrong way or understand it in the wrong context.
The term is not used to mean literal or physical blindness, but instead implies that someone is emotionally blind to something obvious (and just choosing to ignore it).
Acceptable Ways to Phrase There Are None As Blind (As Those Who Will Not See)
The acceptable way to use the phrase 'there are none as blind as those who do not see' is to apply it anywhere someone appears to be deliberately ignorant of something that is obvious to the situation.
Sometimes, the expression is written out in full, while other times the writer can use hyphens, though this is used less often.