Do we really become blind in love?
“Love is blind” is an expression we’ve all heard at some point. But where does it come from, and what does it really mean? In this blog post, we’ll explore the origins and meaning of this well-known saying and see whether love truly blinds us.
The Origin of “Love is Blind”
The phrase “love is blind” has roots going back to ancient Greek philosophers. The idea that love can cloud our judgment and blur our vision was described by thinkers like Plato. In his work Symposium, Plato explained how being in love can reduce our ability to see our partner realistically.
The expression continued to evolve in the Middle Ages. Shakespeare used this concept in several works, including The Merchant of Venice, where he wrote, “But love is blind, and lovers cannot see / The pretty follies that themselves commit.” Here, he suggested that people in love often overlook the flaws or mistakes of their beloved. The saying quickly spread and has since become a timeless part of our language.
What Does it Actually Mean?
“Love is blind” suggests that people in love often ignore or fail to notice the less favorable qualities of their partner, or that they overlook red flags that others might see. This blindness can lead to idealizing or romanticizing our partner, making them seem perfect — even if that perception isn’t entirely realistic.
This phenomenon has even been studied scientifically: falling in love activates areas of the brain related to pleasure and reward, while the region responsible for judgment becomes less active. In a way, love “numbs” certain rational parts of our brain, reducing objectivity.
Why Do We Become ‘Blind’ in Love?
There are several reasons why love can make us put on rose-colored glasses:
Positive focus: When we fall in love, we tend to focus more on our partner’s positive traits and less on their shortcomings. This helps us build an emotional bond.
Idealization: Creating an idealized image of our beloved may stem from a desire for connection and perfection in the relationship. It helps us overcome insecurities, but it can also lead to a limited view of potential issues.
Desire for stability: Love brings feelings of safety and comfort, which can lead us to ignore negative aspects to maintain harmony.
Does Love Really Make Us Blind?
While love can blur our vision, it’s often temporary. After the initial phase of infatuation, reality slowly comes into focus, and we gain a more balanced view of our partner. At this point, we decide whether to continue the relationship with a more realistic understanding of each other. Some people even say that true love only begins once you fully know and accept all aspects of a person — the strong and the imperfect.
What Can We Learn from “Love is Blind”?
Though this saying often carries a negative connotation, it also reminds us to be open and honest in relationships. True love means fully accepting each other, including the not-so-perfect traits. It can also help to occasionally pause and reflect: do I see my partner as they really are, or only as I want to see them?
Conclusion
“Love is blind” is an age-old expression that reminds us how infatuation can influence our ability to remain objective. Yet this ‘blindness’ is often temporary, giving us a chance to see love with open eyes. In the end, real love isn’t about perfection but about acceptance and connection.
Love may sometimes blind us, but perhaps that’s just the first step toward discovering the true essence of love.