LA - 19/1/11

Is it better to have never known something than to have known something but lose it later?

I believe that it depends on the environment you are in. If you have not known something, there is no way you can yearn for it, because you will not know what it is, and hence not be able to appreciate it. For example, if you have never scored good grades in school, you would be expecting to constantly to score those grades, and would not be extremely distressed if you continue doing poorly,especially if you mix around with people who do just as poorly, because you would not feel any pressure to perform.

However, on the flip side, if your peers who were close to you all did very well, and you can see the privileges and joy that they derive from it, you will feel pressured to do well so as to fit in with your friends, and you will feel as if you were missing out on many privileges that you could have otherwise achieved.

I also feel the same way about having something and losing it later. Using the same example, if you had always had very good grades, and lose it later, you would lose out on many privileges you would otherwise have. You would yearn for those constantly, and this will cause you a lot of disappointment. However, if those around you also were faced with the same problems, you would not feel as if you have let yourself down so badly.