The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is apathy.

The worst emotion to

feel is inaction, and regret. Knowing that something could have been done, even if it was a
mistake, is worse than any consequences of knowing more. I challenge Ecclesiastes claim that
knowledge is increase of sorrow. It is the very state of not knowing, and having done nothing
because of it, that brings grief and sorrow. While ignorance may allow you short episodes of
bliss, the inevitable consequences brings a worse sadness than knowing ever could have.

Being in the limbo of constantly hoping for something without a conclusive answer is
worse than actually knowing, even if finally finding out means a loss of hope. In the aftermath of
the Second World War, and indeed most modern wars, there lasted a logistical problem that
took months to solve; returning the bodies to loved ones. Why had the government put so much
effort on this task? One reason closure. An important part of dealing with grief is acceptance.
When dealing with death, the grievers need to see the body before they can finally be at peace.
When grievers are still hoping day-in-day-out for some miracle, they can never really let go, and
will always be stuck in a cycle of disappointment. Some may point out that seeing the body
therefore losing hope that they are still alive will be devastating, which is true. However, thet is
only in the immediate aftermath. In the long term they may never forget it, but at least they can
be at peace rather than carry on worrying about something that will most likely never happen.
Not knowing is the worst, for in their minds they will always hear the deceaseds voice in the
ringing of a phone, hoping against all odds with every knock of the door.

The autonomy and independence to lead our own lives are the two ways in which we
can feel fulfilled, because without free choice we are but at the whims of others. This is all
predicated on our ability to make informed decisions, which makes the gaining of knowledge the
most important component of living a wholesome life. In The Ones Who Walk Away from

Omela the uninterrupted bliss of an entire city is predicated on the unending misery of one
child. When children become adults, they find out this terrible truth. They are given the choice to
leave or to stay. Some accept this injustice, and some walk away. But the most important aspect
of this story is that they are given a choice. Those that chose to leave Omela may be shocked,
but without knowing they would have been forced to live a life they would not have chosen.
Some may argue that making your own choices is not connected to happiness or grief. This is
not true. The reason I dislike staying up late to do homework is because I have no control in the
matter. It is other people compelling me to do something. If I spent three hours writing
something of my own accord, I not only feel more accomplished as I was self motivated, those
three hours dont feel like labor. As human beings, we inherently want control of ourselves.

It is said that you die twice: first with your physical body, and second when your name is
uttered for the last time. A legacy is what everyone hopes to achieve and it is only those who
question and seek more, whether more is an experience of information, that achieve it. We
remember Copernicus for questioning the accepted definition of the solar system, not the Royal
Society of Science for rejecting his ideas. We revere Oskar Schindler for taking action while the
masses were neck deep in their own ignorance to what was happening. It is those who
challenge that have a lasting legacy, and you can only challenge the status quo by seeking out
new information. The path to greatness is paved with an increase of knowledge. It is for those
who do not sit quiet, and wait to be fed.

In our own lives, we must strive to look forward. We cannot look forward without
knowing. In society, we must strive to move forward. We cannot move forward without new
ideas. The basis for progress is knowledge, and therefore when considered holistically,
knowledge brings us more happiness than sorrow.