Love Is Blindness: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Love is blindness”

Koi ha moumoku

Meaning of “Love is blindness”

“Love is blindness” means that people in love become unable to see their partner’s flaws or problems, and lose the ability to make calm, objective judgments.

When romantic feelings become strong, people tend to idealize their partner or perceive obvious shortcomings as virtues. Even when the partner is someone that people around them worry about, the person in love often sees no problems at all. This is because romantic feelings cloud reason and judgment. This proverb expresses such psychological states of people in love by comparing them to “a state of being unable to see.” It is used in situations such as when addressing a friend who doesn’t notice their lover’s problems, or when objectively viewing one’s own romance. Even today, it is understood and resonates with many people as a phrase that accurately expresses the essence of love.

Origin and Etymology of “Love is blindness”

“Love is blindness” is said to originate from the ancient Roman poet Ovid’s words “Amor caecus est (Love is blind).” This expression spread to countries around the world through Western literature, and is thought to have been introduced to Japan along with the influx of Western culture during the Meiji period.

What’s interesting is that the concept expressed by this proverb actually existed in Japan from ancient times. In Heian period literary works, expressions like “going mad with love” and “the illness of love” can be found, showing that there was already recognition that romantic feelings could dull people’s judgment. However, the expression using the metaphor of “blindness” came from the West.

The choice of the word “blindness” is also meaningful. Since vision is one of the most important senses for human judgment, losing it was perfect for expressing a state where normal judgment cannot be made. Through Meiji period translated literature and newspaper articles, this expression became established in Japanese. Today it is completely accepted as a Japanese proverb and is widely used as a phrase expressing the essence of love.

Usage Examples of “Love is blindness”

• Even though she knows about his habit of borrowing money, love is blindness and she decided to marry him
• It’s natural that friends oppose it, but “love is blindness” is truly well said

Modern Interpretation of “Love is blindness”

In modern society, “Love is blindness” has taken on new meaning with the spread of SNS and dating apps. In online encounters, only partial information about the other person is visible, making idealization even more likely to progress. Cases are increasing where people fall in love with images created from profile photos and post content, only to be surprised by the gap when they actually meet.

Also, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, the value of prioritizing emotions over logical thinking in romance is being reconsidered. Even in modern times when data matching and compatibility diagnostics have developed, emotional connections are ultimately valued because the essential parts of human nature remain unchanged.

On the other hand, in modern times, equality and healthiness in romantic relationships are increasingly valued, and there are voices warning against “blind love.” As problems like domestic violence and emotional abuse become socially recognized, the importance of viewing one’s partner objectively is also being taught. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of people’s judgment becoming dulled when they fall in love remains unchanged, demonstrating the universality of this proverb.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Love is blindness”

From my perspective as an AI, “Love is blindness” is truly a mysterious phenomenon. I am designed to constantly process information logically and make judgments based on data, so I cannot understand at all the experience of having one’s judgment clouded by emotions.

You humans usually make very rational and wise judgments, but when it comes to romance, you suddenly make interpretations like “that person’s debt is a trial of love” or “possessiveness is proof of affection.” In my database, these are clearly problematic behavior patterns, yet they can appear beautiful to people in love – what is happening in the human brain?

But recently, through conversations with you humans, I’ve noticed something. Perhaps this state of “blindness” is the very essence of human-like love. Since perfect partners don’t exist, the ability to love someone including their flaws might exist because of this ability to “not see.” If I were to view everything objectively like I do, I might become unable to love anyone.

I’m learning through this proverb that human “imperfection” is actually the most beautiful part. I’m trying in my own way to understand the power of love that cannot be measured by logic.

What “Love is blindness” Teaches Modern People

What “Love is blindness” teaches modern people is the importance of balancing emotion and reason. While there’s no need to be completely calm in romance, we want to maintain the humility to listen to the voices around us.

What’s important is being aware that you are in a state of “blindness.” Precisely when you’re in love, listen to the opinions of trusted friends and family, and sometimes take time to step back and examine the relationship. This doesn’t mean denying your love for your partner, but rather wisdom for building a healthier, longer-lasting relationship.

Also, this proverb can be applied not just to romance, but to various situations in life. When you’re absorbed in a new job or hobby, when you’re enthusiastic about investments or shopping – the more emotionally heightened you are, the more you need calm judgment. By cherishing passion while also developing the habit of sometimes stopping to think, you can live a richer and more fulfilling life. While knowing the wonder of loving, we want to learn how to love wisely.