# Quotes about curiosity

- Quotes: 140
- Authors: 106
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.json

## Quotes

> I soon made myself a nuisance by asking far too many questions of everybody. Every happening in the neighborhood, no matter how trivial, became my business.

[Richard Wright](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-wright.md) · [Black Boy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-wright/black-boy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-wright/black-boy/i-soon-made.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> For prying into any human affairs, none are equal to those whom it does not concern.

[Victor Hugo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo.md) · [Les Miserables](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables.md) · p. 149 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables/for-prying-into.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> If we do not meet with agreeable things, we shall at least meet with something new.

[Voltaire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire.md) · [Candide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/if-we-do-not.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> "Knowledge?" said the doctor. "Yes, I suppose that is it. For ever and for ever seeking knowledge. And we don't even know why we seek it. It's an instinct, like self-preservation; and about as comprehensible. Why, I wonder, do I keep on living. I know I've got to die sooner or later, yet I take the best care I can that it shall be later instead of finishing the thing off in a reasonable manner. After all, I've done my bit—propagated my species, and yet for some inscrutable reason I want to go on living and learning. Just an instinct. Some kink in the evolutionary process caused this passion for knowledge, and the result is man—an odd little creature, scuttling around and piling up mountains of this curious commodity.
>
> What do you suppose will happen when one day a man sits back in his chair and says: 'Knowledge is complete'? You see, it just sounds silly. We're so used to collecting it, that we can't imagine a world where it is all collected and finished."

[John Wyndham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham.md) · [Stowaway to Mars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/stowaway-to-mars.md) · p. 63 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/stowaway-to-mars/knowledge-said-the.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Curiosity is the most powerful incentive in the world. Why? Because it’s capable of overcoming the two most powerful disincentives in the world: common sense and fear.

[Walter Moers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-moers.md) · [The City Of Dreaming Books](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-moers/the-city-of-dreaming-books.md) · p. 313 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-moers/the-city-of-dreaming-books/curiosity-is-the.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “Why do you ask so many questions, Mau?”
>
> “Because I want so many answers!”

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Nation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/nation.md) · p. 145 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/nation/why-do-you.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [asking questions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/asking-questions.md)

> I want to know why. Why everything. I don’t know the answers, but a few days ago I didn’t know there were questions.

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Nation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/nation.md) · p. 157 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/nation/i-want-to-know.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [asking questions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/asking-questions.md)

> I can wait: waiting and patience mean nothing to the eternal. I gave the woman the greatest of gifts: curiosity. By that her seed has been saved from my wrath; for I also am curious; and I have waited always to see what they will do tomorrow.

[George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Back to Methuselah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah/i-can-wait.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [patience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patience.md)

> He was curious because he chose to be. It didn’t make him stupid.

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [The Mercy of Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/the-mercy-of-gods.md) · p. 243 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/the-mercy-of-gods/he-was-curious.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> He wasn’t a man who reined in his curiosity well.

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Nemesis Games](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/nemesis-games.md) · p. 476 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/nemesis-games/he-wasnt-a-man.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Why? is the boy's motto, why does, why is, why not? Food, weather, time, fires, sea and season, clothes and cars and people; it's all grist to the mill of why. (chapter 3, p94)

[Keri Hulme](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keri-hulme.md) · [The Bone People](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keri-hulme/the-bone-people.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keri-hulme/the-bone-people/why-is-the.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> As I often tell my students, the two most important phrases in therapy, as in yoga, are “Notice that” and “What happens next?” Once you start approaching your body with curiosity rather than with fear, everything shifts.

[Bessel van der Kolk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bessel-van-der-kolk.md) · [The Body Keeps the Score](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bessel-van-der-kolk/the-body-keeps-the-score.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bessel-van-der-kolk/the-body-keeps-the-score/as-i-often.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [the body](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-body.md)

> You don't have to be a qualified scientist to experiment with the world. Knowing some basic principles will set you on the right track... [I]t doesn't even have to be an organized process...

[Helen Czerski](https://www.leafyquotes.com/helen-czerski.md) · [Storm in a Teacup](https://www.leafyquotes.com/helen-czerski/storm-in-a-teacup.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/helen-czerski/storm-in-a-teacup/you-dont-have.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> If you’d keep your nose out of things that don’t concern you, you wouldn’t hear so much that offends you.

[David Eddings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings.md) · [The Redemption of Althalus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings/the-redemption-of-althalus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-eddings/the-redemption-of-althalus/if-youd-keep.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md)

> The human mind is lit by an elemental sense of wonder, a probing, restless curiosity that is our primate heritage and that from its beginnings has sought a knowledge, some knowledge, of the future. To satisfy that need there has come into being a massive and thoroughly modern creation, science fiction, the literature of extrapolative, industrial man.

[William Tenn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tenn.md) · [Of All Possible Worlds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tenn/of-all-possible-worlds.md) · p. 12 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tenn/of-all-possible-worlds/the-human-mind.md)

Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Fifty years ago, Bowman would have been considered a specialist in applied astronomy, cybernetics, and space propulsion systems — yet he was prone to deny, with genuine indignation, that he was a specialist at all. Bowman had never found it possible to focus his interest exclusively on any subject; despite the dark warnings of his instructors, he had insisted on taking his Master's degree in General Astronautics — a course with a vague and woolly syllabus, designed for those whose IQs were in the low 130s and who would never reach the top ranks of their profession.
>
> His decision had been right; that very refusal to specialize had made him uniquely qualified for his present task.

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [2001: A Space Odyssey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/2001-a-space-odyssey/fifty-years-ago.md)

Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The trick is to keep exploring and not bail out, even when we find out that something is not what we thought... Nothing is what we thought.

[Pema Chödrön](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron.md) · [When Things Fall Apart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart/the-trick-is-to-keep.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> And what they don’t want you to know, you definitely want to know.

[Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [False Value](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/false-value.md) · p. 138 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/false-value/and-what-they.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> They were old enough to know such things were forbidden, yet young enough still to find the forbidden irresistible rather than terrifying.

[Ian Tregillis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-tregillis.md) · [The Mechanical](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-tregillis/the-mechanical.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-tregillis/the-mechanical/they-were-old.md)

Topics: [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Ordinary people can never fall over the walls, because they never dare climb high enough to see what is beyond the walls.

[B. Traven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/b-traven.md) · [The Death Ship](https://www.leafyquotes.com/b-traven/the-death-ship.md) · p. 190 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/b-traven/the-death-ship/ordinary-people-can.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> If necessity is the mother of invention, curiosity is the father. After all, you cannot produce something interesting if you are not interested in something. Outputs need inputs.

[Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/if-necessity-is-the.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md)

> Curiosity is a luxury reserved for the financially secure.

[Tara Westover](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover.md) · [Educated](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover/educated.md) · p. 203 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover/educated/curiosity-is-a-luxury.md)

Topics: [money](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/money.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The seed of curiosity had been planted; it needed nothing more than time and boredom to grow.

[Tara Westover](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover.md) · [Educated](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover/educated.md) · p. 60 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover/educated/the-seed-of-curiosity.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [boredom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/boredom.md)

> One form of insanity bears the name curiosity.

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Convergence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/convergence.md) · p. 433 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/convergence/one-form-of-insanity.md)

Topics: [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “We’re just too nosy, Commander,” he went on. “Most humans have their patience level set a little too low, and their curiosity a bit too high.”

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Summertide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/summertide.md) · p. 153 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/summertide/were-just-too.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [patience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patience.md)

> An animal doesn’t need to develop curiosity and intelligence if it has no problems that need solving.

[Robert L. Forward](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-l-forward.md) · [Dragon's Egg](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-l-forward/dragons-egg.md) · p. 7 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-l-forward/dragons-egg/an-animal-doesnt.md)

Topics: [intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence.md), [evolution](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evolution.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> You do not choose what interests you. It chooses you. Something manifests itself out of the darkness as compelling, as worth living for; following that, something moves us further down the road, to the next meaningful manifestation—and so it goes, as we continue to seek, develop, grow, and thrive. It is a perilous journey, but it is also the adventure of our lives. Think of pursuing someone you love: catch them or not, you change in the process.

[Jordan B. Peterson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jordan-b-peterson.md) · [Beyond Order](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jordan-b-peterson/beyond-order.md) · p. 65 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jordan-b-peterson/beyond-order/you-do-not.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion-2.md)

> The mere fact that there could be danger in this is fascination in itself; almost an incentive to push further. That’s how you feel, isn’t it? Every argument they could use against you would only strengthen your resolve. Because knowledge makes you hungry, and it’s a hunger you can’t resist, even if you know that what you’re feasting on could kill you.

[Alastair Reynolds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds.md) · [Revelation Space](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/revelation-space.md) · p. 452 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/revelation-space/the-mere-fact.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I tell people that I’ve never been hurt by an honest question, and that’s true: it’s a cruel opinion that hurts, not a question.

[Kate Bornstein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kate-bornstein.md) · [Gender Outlaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kate-bornstein/gender-outlaw.md) · p. 9 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kate-bornstein/gender-outlaw/i-tell-people.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [respect](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/respect.md)

> There was no room in him for curiosity; The capacity for observation had long since starved on the aridness of his soul.

[Tanith Lee](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tanith-lee.md) · [The Storm Lord](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tanith-lee/the-storm-lord.md) · p. 303 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tanith-lee/the-storm-lord/there-was-no-room.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> This at least seems to me the main problem for philosophers, and is in a manner the main problem of this book. How can we contrive to be at once astonished at the world and yet at home in it? How can this queer cosmic town, with its many-legged citizens, with its monstrous and ancient lamps, how can this world give us at once the fascination of a strange town and the comfort and honour of being our own town? To show that a faith or a philosophy is true from every standpoint would be too big an undertaking even for a much bigger book than this; it is necessary to follow one path of argument; and this is the path that I here propose to follow. I wish to set forth my faith as particularly answering this double spiritual need, the need for that mixture of the familiar and the unfamiliar which Christendom has rightly named romance. For the very word "romance" has in it the mystery and ancient meaning of Rome. Any one setting out to dispute anything ought always to begin by saying what he does not dispute. Beyond stating what he proposes to prove he should always state what he does not propose to prove. The thing I do not propose to prove, the thing I propose to take as common ground between myself and any average reader, is this desirability of an active and imaginative life, picturesque and full of a poetical curiosity, a life such as western man at any rate always seems to have desired. If a man says that extinction is better than existence or blank existence better than variety and adventure, then he is not one of the ordinary people to whom I am talking. If a man prefers nothing I can give him nothing. But nearly all people I have ever met in this western society in which I live would agree to the general proposition that we need this life of practical romance; the combination of something that is strange with something that is secure. We need so to view the world as to combine an idea of wonder and an idea of welcome. We need to be happy in this wonderland without once being merely comfortable.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/this-at-least.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [home](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/home.md)

> Of all the non-specialists, the monkeys and apes are perhaps the most opportunist. As a group, they have specialized in non-specialization. And among the monkeys and apes, the naked ape is the most supreme opportunist of them all. This is just another facet of his neotenous evolution. All young monkeys are inquisitive, but the intensity of their curiosity tends to fade as they become adult. With us, the infantile inquisitiveness is strengthened and stretched out into our mature years. 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](https://www.leafyquotes.com/desmond-morris.md) · [The Naked Ape](https://www.leafyquotes.com/desmond-morris/the-naked-ape.md) · p. 107 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/desmond-morris/the-naked-ape/of-all-the.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder.

[Tad Williams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tad-williams.md) · [The Dragonbone Chair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tad-williams/the-dragonbone-chair.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tad-williams/the-dragonbone-chair/he-who-is-certain.md)

Topics: [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Yes and no ... can go a long way once you find the right questions.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Dance with Dragons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons/yes-and-no-can.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Perhaps some little boys consumed with curiosity to watch their maiden aunts in the bathroom later become inveterate sociologists. This is quite uninteresting. What interests us is the curiosity that grips any sociologist in front of a closed door behind which there are human voices.

[Peter L. Berger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-l-berger.md) · [Invitation to Sociology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-l-berger/invitation-to-sociology.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-l-berger/invitation-to-sociology/perhaps-some-little.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Although knowledge of how things work is sufficient to allow manipulation of nature, what humans really want to know is why things work. Children don't ask how the sky is blue. They ask why the sky is blue.

[Michael Crichton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-crichton.md) · [Travels](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-crichton/travels.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-crichton/travels/although-knowledge-of-how.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Instructions for living a life:
>
> Pay attention.
>
> Be astonished.
>
> Tell about it.

[Mary Oliver](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-oliver.md) · [Red Bird](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-oliver/red-bird.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-oliver/red-bird/instructions-for-living.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Fundamentally, a society that asks questions and has the power to answer them is a healthier society than one that simply accepts what it’s told from a narrow range of experts and institutions.

[Chris Anderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-anderson.md) · [The Long Tail](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-anderson/the-long-tail.md) · p. 191 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-anderson/the-long-tail/fundamentally-a-society.md)

Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> '''"It's the questions we can't answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he'll look for his own answers.

[Patrick Rothfuss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patrick-rothfuss.md) · [The Wise Man's Fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patrick-rothfuss/the-wise-mans-fear.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patrick-rothfuss/the-wise-mans-fear/its-the-questions.md)

Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> What we can’t do is demand that the universe scratch our explanatory itches. Curiosity is a virtue, and it’s good to look for answers to “Why?” questions whenever we might be able to find them, or when we think that asking such questions might help us to understand things better. But we should be at peace with the possibility that, for some questions, the answer doesn’t go any deeper than “That’s what it is.” We’re not used to that—our intuition assures us that every event can be explained in terms of some reason why. To understand why we have that impression, we need to dig more deeply into how our actual universe has evolved.

[Sean B. Carroll](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sean-b-carroll.md) · [The Big Picture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sean-b-carroll/the-big-picture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sean-b-carroll/the-big-picture/what-we-cant.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I want to know everything, he says.

[China Miéville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville.md) · [Iron Council](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville/iron-council.md) · p. 202 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville/iron-council/i-want-to-know.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> And she would ask the best question of them all.
>
> What will I discover next?

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [Rhythm of War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/rhythm-of-war.md) · p. 585 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/rhythm-of-war/and-she-would.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “You search for truth,” Jasnah said, “but you also hold to your faith. There is much to admire in that. Seek out the Devotary of Sincerity. They are one of the very smallest of the devotaries, but this book is their guide.”
>
> “One with blank pages?”
>
> “Indeed. They worship the Almighty, but are guided by the belief that there are always more answers to be found. The book cannot be filled, as there is always something to learn. This devotary is a place where one is never penalized for questions, even those challenging Vorinism’s own tenets.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [The Way of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings.md) · p. 681 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings/you-search-for.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “Then you’ll forgive an old man’s curiosity?”
>
> “I always forgive curiosity, Your Majesty,” Jasnah said. “It strikes me as one of the most genuine of emotions.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [The Way of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings.md) · p. 464 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings/then-youll-forgive.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “When we are young,” Jasnah said, “we want simple answers. There is no greater indication of youth, perhaps, than the desire for everything to be as it should. As it has ever been.”
>
> Shallan frowned, still watching the men by the tavern over her shoulder.
>
> “The older we grow,” Jasnah said, “the more we question. We begin to ask why. And yet, we still want the answers to be simple. We assume that the people around us—adults, leaders—will have those answers. Whatever they give often satisfies us.”
>
> “I was never satisfied,” Shallan said softly. “I wanted more.”
>
> “You were mature,” Jasnah said. “What you describe happens to most of us, as we age. Indeed, it seems to me that aging, wisdom, and wondering are synonymous. The older we grow, the more likely we are to reject the simple answers. Unless someone gets in our way and demands they be accepted regardless.” Jasnah’s eyes narrowed. “You wonder why I reject the devotaries.”
>
> “I do.”
>
> “Most of them seek to stop the questions.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [The Way of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings.md) · p. 531 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings/when-we-are.md)

Topics: [old age](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/old-age.md), [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> We’ve been amazingly lucky, which is another way of saying we’ve kept our eyes and minds open and responded when something turned up.

[John Brunner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner.md) · [Total Eclipse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner/total-eclipse.md) · p. 125 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner/total-eclipse/weve-been-amazingly.md)

Topics: [chance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/chance.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> "Why?" Dallben interrupted. "In some cases," he said, "we learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself."

[Lloyd Alexander](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lloyd-alexander.md) · [The Book of Three](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lloyd-alexander/the-book-of-three.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lloyd-alexander/the-book-of-three/why-dallben-interrupted.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Let me always be inquisitive, but never be suspicious.

[Ted Chiang](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang.md) · [Exhalation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang/exhalation.md) · p. 249 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang/exhalation/let-me-always.md)

Topics: [trust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trust.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Even if humanity is not the reason for which the universe was made, I still wish to understand the way it operates. We human beings may not be the answer to the question why, but I will keep looking for the answer to how.

[Ted Chiang](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang.md) · [Exhalation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang/exhalation.md) · p. 269 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang/exhalation/even-if-humanity.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Never lose the child-like wonder. It's just too important. It's what drives us.

[Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/never-lose-the.md)

Topics: [childhood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/childhood.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The questions are always more important than the answers."

[Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/the-questions-are.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> As a child, coming home at sunset through the infinite chain of backyards that led from the schoolyard to our house, I would catch glimpses in windows of dining rooms, tables set for supper; of crayon drawings tacked to refrigerators, cartons of milk standing on counters; of feet on low hassocks, framed photographs, and empty sofas, all lit by the bland light of the television; and these quickly shifting tableaux, of strange furniture and the lives and families they divulged, would send me into a trance of curiosity. For a long time I thought that one became a spy in order to watch the houses of other people, to be confronted by the simple, wondrous fact of other kitchens, other clocks, and ottomans.

[Michael Chabon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon.md) · [The Mysteries of Pittsburgh](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon/the-mysteries-of-pittsburgh.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon/the-mysteries-of-pittsburgh/as-a-child.md)

Topics: [childhood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/childhood.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Everything in life that deviates from the straight and, so to speak, normal line, makes people first curious and then indignant.

[Stefan Zweig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig.md) · [Beware of Pity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/beware-of-pity.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/beware-of-pity/everything-in-life.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [otherness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/otherness.md)

> “Boy, do I hate these holier-than-thou types.”
>
> “Clerics.”
>
> “Anybody who tries to hem science in, tell it what it can and cannot do. Boundaries are best defined by pushing against them. Expanding our horizons, our sense of wonder.”
>
> She smiled. “There’s nothing holier than wow!?”

[Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Cosm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/cosm.md) · p. 324 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/cosm/boy-do-i-hate.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I have ever been prone to seek adventure and to investigate and experiment where wiser men would have left well enough alone.

[Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs.md) · [A Princess of Mars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/a-princess-of-mars.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/a-princess-of-mars/i-have-ever.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [adventure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/adventure.md)

> We're all born with curiosity, but at some point, school usually manages to knock that out of us. ...[M]y main responsibility as a teacher isn't to convey facts, but to rekindle that lost enthusiasm for asking questions.

[Max Tegmark](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark.md) · [Our Mathematical Universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark/our-mathematical-universe.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark/our-mathematical-universe/were-all-born.md)

Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Had the price of looking been blindness, I would have looked.

[Ralph Ellison](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison.md) · [Invisible Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison/invisible-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison/invisible-man/had-the-price.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “Not everyone is concerned with the deep future,” Manfred interrupts. “It’s important! If we live or die, that doesn’t matter—that’s not the big picture. The big question is whether information originating in our light cone is preserved, or whether we’re stuck in a lossy medium where our very existence counts for nothing. It’s downright embarrassing to be a member of a species with such a profound lack of curiosity about its own future, especially when it affects us all personally! I mean, if there’s going to come a time when there’s nobody or nothing to remember us then what does –”
>
> “Manfred?”
>
> He stops in midsentence, his mouth open, staring dumbly.

[Charles Stross](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross.md) · [Accelerando](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/accelerando.md) · p. 347 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/accelerando/not-everyone-is-concerned.md)

Topics: [the future](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-future.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> My father said it was a delightfully odd—and dangerously self-destructive—quirk of humans that we were far more interested in pointless trivia then in genuine news stories.

[Jasper Fforde](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde.md) · [Lost in a Good Book](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde/lost-in-a-good-book.md) · p. 141 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde/lost-in-a-good-book/my-father-said.md)

Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> If they live in the world, they should see and touch and hear and learn things.

[Philip Pullman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman.md) · [The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials 3](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/the-amber-spyglass-his-dark-materials-3.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/the-amber-spyglass-his-dark-materials-3/if-they-live.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> There is no virtue in curiosity. In fact, it might be the most immoral desire a man can possess.

[Yukio Mishima](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yukio-mishima.md) · [Confessions of a Mask](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yukio-mishima/confessions-of-a-mask.md) · p. 222 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yukio-mishima/confessions-of-a-mask/there-is-no-virtue.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Here’s some thing we don’t know but we can maybe find out, and it’s something that other people don’t want us to know. How much more seductive can you get?

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [The Hydrogen Sonata](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-hydrogen-sonata.md) · p. 202 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-hydrogen-sonata/heres-some-thing.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> When it comes to the world around us, is there any choice but to explore?

[Lisa Randall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lisa-randall.md) · [Warped Passages](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lisa-randall/warped-passages.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lisa-randall/warped-passages/when-it-comes.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Life is full of questions, and we are free to ask them, to understand, occasionally, that we are not going to get an answer, or at least not the answer we expect, and then we are called to move on. But I believe that God encourages us to ask questions.

[Madeleine L’Engle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle.md) · [The Rock That Is Higher](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle/the-rock-that-is-higher.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle/the-rock-that-is-higher/life-is-full.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I wrote because I wanted to know what everything was about. My father, before I was born, had been gassed in the first World War, and I wanted to know why there were wars, why people hurt each other, why we couldn't get along together, and what made people tick. That's why I started to write stories.

[Madeleine L’Engle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle.md) · [Penguins and Golden Calves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle/penguins-and-golden-calves.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle/penguins-and-golden-calves/i-wrote-because.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I longed for a power of vision which might overpass that limit; which might reach the busy world, towns, regions full of life I had heard of but never seen: that I desired more of practical experience than I possessed; more of intercourse with my kind, of acquaintance with variety of character, than was here within my reach.

[Charlotte Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte.md) · [Jane Eyre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre/i-longed-for.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md)

> [...], perhaps that's how you learn, by answering questions.

[José Saramago](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago.md) · [All The Names](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/all-the-names.md) · p. 48 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/all-the-names/perhaps-thats-how.md)

Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> "Why not go live on the beach?"
>
> "These things are a way of keeping score. I'm sure you have your own way of keeping score."
>
> I nodded. "I compare the numbers of answers I get to the number of questions I ask."
>
> "And how are you doing with that?"
>
> "Lifetime average is close to a hundred per cent."

[Lee Child](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lee-child.md) · [Gone Tomorrow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lee-child/gone-tomorrow.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lee-child/gone-tomorrow/why-not-go-live.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> You couldn’t find an answer if you didn’t know you should be asking the question.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Drive to the East](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east.md) · p. 274 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east/you-couldnt-find.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “You make me wonder about my own country, Spartacus, not just yours.”
>
> “Good,” the black man rumbled. “Wonderin’s good. Ain’t nothin’ gonna change till you wonder if it oughta.”

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Drive to the East](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east.md) · p. 522 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east/you-make-me-wonder.md)

Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies.

[Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [Great Expectations](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/great-expectations.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/great-expectations/ask-no-questions.md)

Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Piety, then, needs a counterpoise, something to prevent it from being exercised in an excessively rigid way; and this it has, in most intellectual temperaments, in the quality I would call playfulness. We speak of the play of the mind; and certainly the intellectual relishes the play of the mind for its own sake, and finds in it one of the major values in life. What one thinks of here is the element of sheer delight in intellectual activity. Seen in this guise, intellect may be taken as the healthy animal spirits of the mind, which come into exercise when the surplus of mental energies is released from the tasks required for utility and mere survival. “Man is perfectly human,” said Schiller, “only when he plays.” And it is this awareness of an available surplus beyond the requirements of mere existence that his maxim conveys to us. Veblen spoke often of the intellectual faculty as “idle curiosity”—but this is a misnomer in so far as the curiosity of the playful mind is inordinately restless and active. This very restlessness and activity gives a distinctive cast to its view of truth and its discontent with dogmas.

[Richard Hofstadter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-hofstadter.md) · [Anti-Intellectualism in American Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-hofstadter/anti-intellectualism-in-american-life.md) · p. 30 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-hofstadter/anti-intellectualism-in-american-life/piety-then-needs.md)

Topics: [intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [play](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/play.md)

> Children rarely want to know who their parents were before they were parents, and when age finally stirs their curiosity there is no parent left to tell them.

[Russell Baker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/russell-baker.md) · [Growing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/russell-baker/growing-up.md) · p. 13 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/russell-baker/growing-up/children-rarely-want.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [parents](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/parents.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> She was too alert, too alive not to have the kind of mind that probed and reached and got her into trouble now and then.

[Octavia E. Butler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler.md) · [Wild Seed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/wild-seed.md) · p. 18 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/wild-seed/she-was-too.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> When issues of events like these my father is waiting for, are hanging in the scales of fate, the mind has the advantage of changing the principle of expectation three times, without which it would not have power to see it out.Curiosity governs the first moment; and the second moment is all economy to justify the expense of the first — and for the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth moments, and so on to the day of judgment — 'tis a point of HONOUR.I need not be told, that the ethic writers have assigned this all to Patience; but that VIRTUE, methinks, has extent of domination sufficient of her own, and enough to do in it, without invading the few dismantled castles which HONOUR has left him upon the earth.

[Laurence Sterne](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurence-sterne.md) · [The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurence-sterne/the-life-and-opinions-of-tristram-shandy-gentleman.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurence-sterne/the-life-and-opinions-of-tristram-shandy-gentleman/when-issues-of-events.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [patience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patience.md), [honour](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honour.md)

> People just can't stand not knowing something, she says. Especially men can't stand not climbing every mountain, mapping everywhere. Labeling everything. Peeing on every tree and then never calling you back.

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Invisible Monsters](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/invisible-monsters.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/invisible-monsters/people-just-cant.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [men](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/men.md)

> Wisdom. No match for the troublemaker Curiosity.

[David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [Glory Season](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/glory-season.md) · p. 265 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/glory-season/wisdom-no-match.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> We had a certain idea of our work, a respect for others, and above all, [we were determined] not to be paparazzi. For the photographer, curiosity is essential, the terrible counterpart is indiscretion, which is a lack of restraint.

[Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · p. 115 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson/we-had-a-certain.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [Photography](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/photography.md)

> I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ast. And that in wondering bout the big things and asting bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with. The more I wonder, he say, the more I love.

[Alice Walker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alice-walker.md) · [The Color Purple](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alice-walker/the-color-purple.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alice-walker/the-color-purple/i-think-us-here.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I said I liked being half-educated; you were so much more surprised at everything when you were ignorant.

[Gerald Durrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gerald-durrell.md) · [My Family and Other Animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gerald-durrell/my-family-and-other-animals.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gerald-durrell/my-family-and-other-animals/i-said-i-liked.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The secret of a Scientist is not what he knows. It’s what he asks.

[Stephen Baxter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter.md) · [Raft](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/raft.md) · p. 45 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/raft/the-secret-of-a-scientist.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> For better or for worse, she found herself putting aside fear in favor of curiosity.

[Samuel R. Delany](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany.md) · [Neveryona](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/neveryona.md) · p. 163 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/neveryona/for-better-or-for.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> It’s a good idea, when people are curious, to give them something to sustain that curiosity—and direct it.

[Samuel R. Delany](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany.md) · [Neveryona](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/neveryona.md) · p. 65 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/neveryona/its-a-good.md)

Topics: [manipulation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/manipulation.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Then something began pushing things up out of the soil and making things out of nothing. One day things weren’t there and another they were. I had never watched things before and it made me feel very curious. Scientific people are always curious and I am going to be scientific. I keep saying to myself, ’What is it? What is it?’ It’s something. It can’t be nothing!

[Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frances-hodgson-burnett.md) · [The Secret Garden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frances-hodgson-burnett/the-secret-garden.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frances-hodgson-burnett/the-secret-garden/then-something-began.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> It came upon me sometime in my fifteenth year that I no longer woke up with sudden excitements—“Today I will get the Clerici solution! Today I will read about Humphry Davy and electric fish! Today I will finally understand diamagnetism, perhaps!” I no longer seemed to get these sudden illuminations, these epiphanies, these excitements which Flaubert (whom I was now reading) called “erections of the mind.” Erections of the body, yes, this was a new, exotic part of life—but those sudden raptures of the mind, those sudden landscapes of glory and illumination, seemed to have deserted or abandoned me. Or had I, in fact, abandoned them?

[Oliver Sacks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/oliver-sacks.md) · [Uncle Tungsten](https://www.leafyquotes.com/oliver-sacks/uncle-tungsten.md) · p. 310 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/oliver-sacks/uncle-tungsten/it-came-upon.md)

Topics: [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> But who ever yet was offered a secret and declined it?

[Anthony Trollope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope.md) · [Framley Parsonage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/framley-parsonage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/framley-parsonage/but-who-ever.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> To science, not even the bark of a tree or a drop of pond water is dull or a handful of dirt banal. They all arouse awe and wonder.

[Jane Jacobs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-jacobs.md) · [Dark Age Ahead](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-jacobs/dark-age-ahead.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-jacobs/dark-age-ahead/to-science-not.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Be aware of wonder. And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned — the biggest word of all — LOOK.

[Robert Fulghum](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-fulghum.md) · [All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-fulghum/all-i-really-need-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-fulghum/all-i-really-need-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten/be-aware-of-wonder.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> It's pathetic how we can't live with the things we can't understand. How we need everything labeled and explained and deconstructed.

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Choke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/choke.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/choke/its-pathetic-how.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “We in the Handdara don’t want answers. It’s hard to avoid them, but we try to.”
>
> “Faxe, I don’t think I understand.”
>
> “Well, we come here to the Fastnesses mostly to learn what questions not to ask.”
>
> “But you’re the Answerers!”
>
> “You don’t see, Genry, why we perfected and practice Foretelling?”
>
> “No—”
>
> “To exhibit the perfect uselessness of knowing the answer to the wrong question.”

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 69 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/we-in-the.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> For me chemistry represented an indefinite cloud of future potentialities which enveloped my life to come in black volutes torn by fiery flashes, like those which had hidden Mount Sinai. Like Moses, from that cloud I expected my law, the principle of order in me, around me, and in the world. I was fed up with books, which I still continued to gulp down with indiscreet voracity, and searched for a key to the highest truths; there must be a key, and I was certain that, owing to some monstrous conspiracy to my detriment and the world's, I would not get in school. In school they loaded with me with tons of notions that I diligently digested, but which did not warm the blood in my veins. I would watch the buds swell in spring, the mica glint in the granite, my own hands, and I would say to myself: "I will understand this, too, I will understand everything, but not the way they want me to. I will find a shortcut, I will make a lock-pick, I will push open the doors."
>
> It was enervating, nauseating, to listen to lectures on the problem of being and knowing, when everything around us was a mystery pressing to be revealed: the old wood of the benches, the sun's sphere beyond the windowpanes and the roofs, the vain flight of the pappus down in the June air. Would all the philosophers and all the armies of the world be able to construct this little fly? No, nor even understand it: this was a shame and an abomination, another road must be found.

[Primo Levi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/primo-levi.md) · [The Periodic Table](https://www.leafyquotes.com/primo-levi/the-periodic-table.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/primo-levi/the-periodic-table/for-me-chemistry.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> If one could always choose the right question, then every answer could be as obvious.

[Steven Erikson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson.md) · [Midnight Tides](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/midnight-tides.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/midnight-tides/if-one-could.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> You have curiosity and you are stubborn. You do not accept rules. Therefore I t'ink you will either make a very good scientist or a very bad one, and if you are bad enough, you will be popular with the rich ladies who rule this city, New York, and you can gif lectures for a living or even become, if you get to be plausible enough, a college president. So anyvay, it will be interesting. ~ Gottlieb, Ch. 26

[Sinclair Lewis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis.md) · [Arrowsmith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/arrowsmith.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/arrowsmith/you-have-curiosity.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically industrious – painstaking, a workman to execute with perseverance and labour – but besides this there is a love for the marvellous, a belief in the marvellous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out of the common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore.

[Mary Shelley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley.md) · [Frankenstein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein/there-is-something.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed? It was a bold question, and one which has ever been considered as a mystery; yet with how many things are we upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries.

[Mary Shelley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley.md) · [Frankenstein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein/one-of-the.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> It is in general the unexplored that attracts us.

[Murasaki Shikibu](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu.md) · [The Tale of Genji](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/murasaki-shikibu/the-tale-of-genji/it-is-in-general.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The simplest questions are the most profound.
>
> Where were you born?
>
> Where is your home?
>
> Where are you going?
>
> What are you doing?
>
> Think about these once in awhile, and watch your answers change.

[Richard Bach](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-bach.md) · [Illusions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-bach/illusions.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-bach/illusions/the-simplest-questions.md)

Topics: [self-knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> A question is a trap, and an answer your foot in it.

[John Steinbeck](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck.md) · [Travels with Charley in Search of America](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/travels-with-charley-in-search-of-america.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/travels-with-charley-in-search-of-america/a-question-is-a-trap.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> For the most part people are not curious except about themselves.

[John Steinbeck](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck.md) · [The Winter of Our Discontent](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/the-winter-of-our-discontent.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/the-winter-of-our-discontent/for-the-most.md)

Topics: [selfishness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/selfishness.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> There are no ugly questions except those clothed in condescension.

[John Steinbeck](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck.md) · [East of Eden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/east-of-eden.md) · p. 163 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/east-of-eden/there-are-no-ugly.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [contempt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/contempt.md)

> The basic drive behind real philosophy is curiosity about the world, not interest in the writings of philosophers. Each of us emerges from the preconsciousness of babyhood and simply finds himself here, in it, in the world. That experience alone astonishes some people. What is all this — what is the world? And what are we? From the beginning of humanity some have been under a compulsion to ask these questions, and have felt a craving for the answers. This is what is really meant by any such phrase as "mankind's need for metaphysics."

[Bryan Magee](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bryan-magee.md) · [Confessions of a Philosopher](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bryan-magee/confessions-of-a-philosopher.md) · p. 232 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bryan-magee/confessions-of-a-philosopher/the-basic-drive.md)

Topics: [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The problem with the religious solution [to philosophical problems] was stated by Mencken when he wrote, 'Theology is the effort to explain the unknowable in terms of the not worth knowing.' For anyone with a persistent intellectual curiosity, religious explanations are not worth knowing because they pile equally baffling enigmas on top of the original ones. What gave God a mind, free will, knowledge, certainty about right and wrong? How does he infuse them into a universe that seems to run just fine according to physical laws? How does he get ghostly souls to interact with hard matter? And most perplexing of all, if the world unfolds according to a wise and merciful plan, why does it contain so much suffering? As the Yiddish expression says, If God lived on earth, people would break his windows.

[Steven Pinker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pinker.md) · [How the Mind Works](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pinker/how-the-mind-works.md) · p. 560 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pinker/how-the-mind-works/the-problem-with.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> You conceive of science as nothing more than answers to questions?
>
> As a system for generating answers.
>
> And what is the purpose of that?
>
> ...To know.
>
> And what will you do with your knowledge?
>
> ...Find out more.
>
> But why?
>
> I don’t know. It’s the way I am.

[Kim Stanley Robinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson.md) · [Green Mars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/green-mars.md) · p. 401 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/green-mars/you-conceive-of-science.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I find the world and all it contains extremely fascinating. Is this sinful?

[Robert Silverberg](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-silverberg.md) · [Nightwings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-silverberg/nightwings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-silverberg/nightwings/i-find-the.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [sin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sin.md)

> Perhaps I am just a hopeless rationalist, but isn't fascination as comforting as solace? Isn't nature immeasurably more interesting for its complexities and its lack of conformity to our hopes? Isn't curiosity as wondrously and fundamentally human as compassion?

[Stephen Jay Gould](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-jay-gould.md) · [Eight Little Piggies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-jay-gould/eight-little-piggies.md) · p. 324 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-jay-gould/eight-little-piggies/perhaps-i-am-just.md)

Topics: [nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nature.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> A Philistine is someone who is content to live in a wholly unexplored world.

[Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Cornish Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy/a-philistine-is-someone.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Energy and curiosity are the lifeblood of universities; the desire to find out, to uncover, to dig deeper, to puzzle out obscurities, is the spirit of the university, and it is a channelling of that unresting curiosity that holds mankind together.

[Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Cornish Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy/energy-and-curiosity.md)

Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> "Curiosity killed the cat," said Hector, who was a little embarrassed by the turn the conversation had taken; nevertheless, he wanted to show himself a man's man, and something witty seemed called for. "I deny that," said Cobbler; "the cat probably died a happy martyr to research."

[Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Salterton Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-salterton-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-salterton-trilogy/curiosity-killed-the.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “Yes, maybe it’s just one colossal big joke with no point to it.” Lazarus stood up and stretched and scratched his ribs. “But I can tell you this, Andy, whatever the answers are, here’s one monkey that’s going to keep on climbing, and looking around him to see what he can see, as long as the tree holds out.”

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [The Past Through Tomorrow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/the-past-through-tomorrow.md) · p. 667 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/the-past-through-tomorrow/yes-maybe-its.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I once heard Susan Sontag, in conversation with Umberto Eco, define the polymath as one “who is interested in everything, and in nothing else.”

[Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [And Yet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/and-yet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/and-yet/i-once-heard.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> One thing was certain: when someone searched into secret places, he often came up with things he would rather not have found.

[Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [Night Lamp](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/night-lamp.md) · p. 81 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/night-lamp/one-thing-was.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> So much existed: so much to be felt and seen and known! A single life was not enough…

[Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [Wyst: Alastor 1716](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/wyst-alastor-1716.md) · p. 307 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/wyst-alastor-1716/so-much-existed.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> “My father says I have too much curiosity for my own good.”
>
> Captain Henshaw chuckled. “He’s wrong there; too much curiosity never hurt anyone. When a boy has too little, that’s the time to start worrying.”

[Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [Vandals of the Void](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/vandals-of-the-void.md) · p. 16 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/vandals-of-the-void/my-father-says.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Desire, to know why, and how, CURIOSITY; such as is in no living creature but Man; so that Man is distinguished, not only by his Reason; but also by this singular Passion from other Animals; in whom the appetite of food, and other pleasures of Sense, by predominance, take away the care of knowing causes; which is a Lust of the mind, that by a perseverance of delight in the continual and indefatigable generation of Knowledge, exceedeth the short vehemence of any carnal Pleasure.

[Thomas Hobbes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes.md) · [Leviathan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan.md) · p. 26 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan/desire-to-know.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> What froze me was the fact that I had absolutely no reason to move in any direction. What had made me move through so many dead and pointless years was curiosity. Now even that flickered out.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Mother Night](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/mother-night.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/mother-night/what-froze-me-was.md)

Topics: [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Ladies and Gentlemen, I stand before you now because I never stopped dawdling like an eight-year-old on a spring morning on his way to school. Anything can make me stop and look and wonder, and sometimes learn. I am a very happy man. Thank you.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Cat's Cradle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle/ladies-and-gentlemen.md)

Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Let your self go. If you can approach the world's complexities, both its glories and its horrors, with an attitude of humble curiosity, acknowledging that however deeply you have seen, you have only scratched the surface, you will find worlds within worlds, beauties you could not heretofore imagine, and your own mundane preoccupations will shrink to proper size, not all that important in the greater scheme of things.''' Keeping that awestruck vision of the world ready to hand while dealing with the demands of daily living is no easy exercise, but it is definitely worth the effort, for if you can stay centered, and engaged'', you will find the hard choices easier, the right words will come to you when you need them, and you will be a better person. That, I propose, is the secret to spirituality, and it has nothing at all to do with believing in an immortal soul, or in anything supernatural.

[Daniel Dennett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett.md) · [Breaking the Spell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/breaking-the-spell.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/breaking-the-spell/let-your-self.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [humility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humility.md), [spirituality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/spirituality.md)

> Philosophy — in every field of inquiry — is what you have to do until you figure out what questions you should have been asking in the first place.

[Daniel Dennett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett.md) · [Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/intuition-pumps-and-other-tools-for-thinking.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/intuition-pumps-and-other-tools-for-thinking/philosophy-in-every.md)

Topics: [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> We live in a world that is subjectively open. And we are designed by evolution to be "informavores," epistemically hungry seekers of information, in an endless quest to improve our purchase on the world.

[Daniel Dennett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett.md) · [Freedom Evolves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/freedom-evolves.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/freedom-evolves/we-live-in-a-world.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I keep six honest serving-men:
>
> (They taught me all I knew)
>
> Their names are What and Where and When
>
> And How and Why and Who.

[Rudyard Kipling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling.md) · [Just So Stories](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/just-so-stories.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/just-so-stories/i-keep-six.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> It is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a mongoose, because he is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. The motto of all the mongoose family is “Run and find out,” and Rikki-tikki was a true mongoose.

[Rudyard Kipling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling.md) · [The Jungle Book](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/the-jungle-book.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/the-jungle-book/it-is-the.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> For to admire an' for to see,
>
> For to be'old this world so wide—
>
> It never done no good to me,
>
> But I can't drop it if I tried!

[Rudyard Kipling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling.md) · [Barrack-Room Ballads](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/barrack-room-ballads.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/barrack-room-ballads/for-to-admire.md)

Topics: [travel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/travel.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> "Why won't anyone ever answer my questions?"
>
> "Because you never stop asking them and especially because you keep asking them even when it's clear that nobody knows the answers."
>
> "Well, how do I know that they don't know the answer unless I ask?"

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [The Memory Of Earth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/the-memory-of-earth.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/the-memory-of-earth/why-wont-anyone.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I don't know anything, but I do know that everything is interesting if you go into it deeply enough.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [The Pleasure of Finding Things Out](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-pleasure-of-finding-things-out.md) · p. 203 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-pleasure-of-finding-things-out/i-dont-know.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> I have to understand the world, you see.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/surely-youre-joking-mr-feynman.md) · p. 231 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/surely-youre-joking-mr-feynman/i-have-to-understand.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> People are always asking for the latest developments in the unification of this theory with that theory, and they don't give us a chance to tell them anything about what we know pretty well. They always want to know the things we don't know.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [Qed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/qed.md) · p. 3 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/qed/people-are-always.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Some people never observe anything. Life just happens to them. They get by on little more than a kind of dumb persistence, and they resist with anger and resentment anything that might lift them out of that false serenity.

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Heretics of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/heretics-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/heretics-of-dune/some-people-never.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> For a long time the human instinct to understand was thwarted by facile religious explanations.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Cosmos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos.md) · p. 173 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos/for-a-long.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> If we long for our planet to be important, there is something we can do about it. We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Cosmos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos.md) · p. 193 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos/if-we-long.md)

Topics: [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> The size and age of the Cosmos are beyond ordinary human understanding. Lost somewhere between immensity and eternity is our tiny planetary home. In a cosmic perspective, most human concerns seem insignificant, even petty. And yet our species is young and curious and brave and shows much promise. In the last few millennia we have made the most astonishing and unexpected discoveries about the Cosmos and our place within it, explorations that are exhilarating to consider. They remind us that humans have evolved to wonder, that understanding is a joy, that knowledge is prerequisite to survival. I believe our future depends powerfully on how well we understand this Cosmos in which we float like a mote of dust in the morning sky.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Cosmos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos.md) · p. 4 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos/the-size-and.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [the universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-universe.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> We embarked on our journey to the stars with a question first framed in the childhood of our species and in each generation asked anew with undiminished wonder: What are the stars? Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Cosmos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos.md) · p. 193 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos/we-embarked-on-our.md)

Topics: [the universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-universe.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [stars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stars.md)

> Every new set of discoveries raises a host of questions which we were never before wise enough even to ask.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Broca's Brain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain.md) · p. 183 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain/every-new-set.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> While ritual, emotion and reasoning are all significant aspects of human nature, the most nearly unique human characteristic is the ability to associate abstractly and to reason. Curiosity and the urge to solve problems are the emotional hallmarks of our species; and the most characteristically human activities are mathematics, science, technology, music and the arts--a somewhat broader range of subjects than is usually included under the “humanities.” Indeed, in its common usage this very word seems to reflect a peculiar narrowness of vision about what is human. Mathematics is as much a “humanity” as poetry.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Dragons of Eden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/dragons-of-eden.md) · p. 81 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/dragons-of-eden/while-ritual-emotion.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien.md) · [The Fellowship of the Ring](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien/the-fellowship-of-the-ring.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien/the-fellowship-of-the-ring/he-that-breaks.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien.md) · [The Hobbit](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien/the-hobbit.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien/the-hobbit/you-certainly-usually.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. It is a seeking that he who wishes may know the cosmic secrets of the world and they that dwell therein.

[Zora Neale Hurston](https://www.leafyquotes.com/zora-neale-hurston.md) · [Dust Tracks On A Road](https://www.leafyquotes.com/zora-neale-hurston/dust-tracks-on-a-road.md) · p. 143 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/zora-neale-hurston/dust-tracks-on-a-road/research-is-formalized.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> Adults follow paths. Children explore. Adults are content to walk the same way, hundreds of times, or thousands; perhaps it never occurs to adults to step off the paths, to creep beneath rhododendrons, to find the spaces between fences. I was a child, which meant that I knew a dozen different ways of getting out of our property and into the lane, ways that would not involve walking down our drive.

[Neil Gaiman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman.md) · [The Ocean at the End of the Lane](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane.md) · p. 74 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane/adults-follow-paths.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> All your questions can be answered, if that is what you want. But once you learn your answers, you can never unlearn them.

[Neil Gaiman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman.md) · [American Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/american-gods.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/american-gods/all-your-questions.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md)

> From these considerations I arrive at the solution of the question so often discussed—Should we enlighten children at an early period as to the objects of their curiosity, or is it better to put them off with decent shams? I think we need do neither. In the first place, this curiosity will not arise unless we give it a chance. We must therefore take care not to give it an opportunity. In the next place, questions one is not obliged to answer do not compel us to deceive those who ask them; it is better to bid the child hold his tongue than to tell him a lie. He will not be greatly surprised at this treatment if you have already accustomed him to it in matters of no importance. Lastly, if you decide to answer his questions, let it be with the greatest plainness, without mystery or confusion, without a smile. It is much less dangerous to satisfy a child's curiosity than to stimulate it.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/from-these-considerations.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [honesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honesty.md)

> I told the Englishman that my alma mater was books, a good library. Every time I catch a plane, I have with me a book that I want to read—and that's a lot of books these days. If I weren't out here every day battling the white man, I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity—because you can hardly mention anything I'm not curious about.

[Malcolm X](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-x.md) · [The Autobiography of Malcolm X](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-x/the-autobiography-of-malcolm-x.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-x/the-autobiography-of-malcolm-x/i-told-the.md)

Topics: [reading](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reading.md), [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [libraries](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/libraries.md)