Childhood is the world of miracle and wonder; as if creation rose, bathed in the light, out of the darkness, utterly new and fresh and astonishing. The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us.
—Eugene Ionesco (1909–94) Romanian-born French Dramatist
There is nothing that God hath established in a constant course of nature, and which therefore is done every day, but would seem a Miracle, and exercise our admiration, if it were done but once.
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from our sources of strength.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man; the power that crosses the white sea, driven by the stormy wind, making a path under surges that threaten to engulf him…
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
No wonder lasts over three days.
—Common Proverb
Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life—learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
—Robert Fulghum (b.1937) American Unitarian Universalist Author, Essayist, Clergyman
All thoughts, all passions, all delights,
Whatever stirs this mortal frame,
All are but ministers of Love,
And feed his sacred flame.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. … To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong in the ranks of devoutly religious men.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Men love to wonder and that is the seed of our science.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
Wherever life takes us, there are always moments of wonder.
—Jimmy Carter (b.1924) American Head of State, Military Leader
The more I wonder, the more I love.
—Alice Walker (b.1944) American Novelist, Activist
If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.
—Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) American Astronaut
Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge.
—Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–72) American Jewish Rabbi
All wonder is the effect of novelty on ignorance.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Wonder is from surprise, and surprise stops with experience.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
All the wonders you seek are within yourself.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. That was a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon it; Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Stuff your eyes with wonder … live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.
—Ray Bradbury (b.1920) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
The man who cannot wonder, who does not habitually wonder and worship, is but a pair of spectacles behind which there is no eye.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
The longer I live, the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world.
—John Burroughs (1837–1921) American Naturalist, Writer
He who wonders discovers that this in itself is wonder.
—M. C. Escher (1898–1972) Dutch Graphic Artist
Wonder is involuntary praise.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
In wonder all philosophy began; in wonder it ends; and admiration fills up the interspace.—But the first is the wonder of ignorance; the last is the parent of adoration.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher