The alchemists in their search for gold discovered many other things of greater value.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Inquisitive people are the funnels of conversation; they do not take anything for their own use, but merely to pass it on to others.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
Only barbarians are not curious about where they come from, how they came to be where they are, where they appear to be going, whether they wish to go there, and if so, why, and if not, why not.
—Isaiah Berlin (1907–97) British Liberal Philosopher, Historian
A sense of curiosity is nature’s original school of education.
—Smiley Blanton
You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.
—Unknown
Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.
—Pierre-Marc-Gaston, duc de Levis
The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Every man ought to be inquisitive through every hour of his great adventure down to the day when he shall no longer cast a shadow in the sun. For if he dies without a question in his heart, what excuse is there for his continuance?
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925) American Encyclopedia Editor, Essayist
I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent; curiosity, obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism have brought me to my ideas.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Many a secret that cannot be pried out by curiosity can be drawn out by indifference.
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Inquisitiveness or curiosity is a kernel of the forbidden fruit, which still sticketh in the throat of a natural man, and sometimes to the danger of his choking.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shrewd unto thee than men understand.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
We never stop investigating. We are never satisfied that we know enough to get by. Every question we answer leads on to another question. This has become the greatest survival trick of our species.
—Desmond Morris (b.1928) English Ethologist, Writer
To be curious about that which is not one’s concern while still in ignorance of oneself is ridiculous.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Cultivate your garden … Do not depend upon teachers to educate you … follow your own bent, pursue your curiosity bravely, express yourself, make your own harmony … In the end, education, like happiness, is individual, and must come to us from life and from ourselves. There is no way; each pilgrim must make his own path. “Happiness,” said Chamfort, “is not easily won; it is hard to find it in ourselves, and impossible to find it elsewhere.”
—William C. Durant (1861–1947) American Industrialist
Curiosity is the lust of the mind.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
A man should stay alive if only out of curiosity.
—Yiddish Proverb
Desire to know why, and how—curiosity, which is a lust of the mind, that a perseverance of delight in the continued and indefatigable generation of knowledge—exceedeth the short vehemence of any carnal pleasure.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
Curiosity is free-wheeling intelligence.
—Alistair Cooke (1908–2004) British-American Journalist, Broadcaster
A man’s interest in the world is only an overflow from his interest in himself.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
“Necessity is the mother of invention” is a silly proverb. “Necessity is the mother of futile dodges” is much closer to the truth. The basis of growth of modern invention is science, and science is almost wholly the outgrowth of pleasurable intellectual curiosity.
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) English Mathematician, Philosopher
The curious are always in some danger. If you are curious you might never come home.
—Jeanette Winterson (b.1959) English Novelist, Journalist
Interest makes some people blind, and others quick-sighted.
—Francis Beaumont (1584–1616) English Dramatist
You now what a woman’s curiosity is. Almost as great as a man’s!
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind, is curiosity.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
I keep six honest serving men; they taught me all I knew; their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who.
—Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) British Children’s Books Writer, Short story, Novelist, Poet, Journalist
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Newspapers always excite curiosity. No one ever puts one down without the feeling of disappointment.
—Charles Lamb (1775–1834) British Essayist, Poet
There are no uninteresting things, there are only uninterested people.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
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
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
—Carl Sagan (1934–96) American Astronomer
It is a shameful thing to be weary of inquiry when what we search for is excellent.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Curiosity in children is but an appetite for knowledge. One great reason why children abandon themselves wholly to silly pursuits and trifle away their time insipidly is, because they find their curiosity balked, and their inquiries neglected.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
A good scientist is a person in whom the childhood quality of perennial curiosity lingers on. Once he gets an answer, he has other questions.
—Frederick Seitz (1911–2008) American Physicist
Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Men are more inclined to ask curious questions, than to obtain necessary instruction.
—Pasquier Quesnel (1634–1719) French Jansenist Theologian
Where the apple reddens never pry—lest we lose our Edens, Eve and I.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
The over curious are not over wise.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
Certainly, Gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinions high respect; their business unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasure, his satisfactions, to theirs, and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiased opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure, no, nor from the law and the Constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.
—French Proverb
Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.
—Leo Burnett (1891–1971) American Advertising Executive
Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
Where curiosity is not the purveyor, detraction will soon be starved.
—Latin Proverb
Morality comes with the sad wisdom of age, when the sense of curiosity has withered.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that modern methods of instruction have not entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wrack and ruin without fail. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist