The Chinese phrase "难得糊涂" on the seal means "ignorance is bliss" in English. [Photo/xuexi.cn]

Seal cutter: Wang Fuchang

Chinese characters of the seal: "难得糊涂", meaning "ignorance is bliss" in English

Other Chinese characters beside the seal: "聪明难，糊涂亦难，由聪明而转入糊涂更难。" The words came from Zheng Banqiao, a calligrapher, painter, and litterateur from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The words mean that it is difficult to know when to act as a wise man and when to feign ignorance.