--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Should the discovery of fire have been…" description: "\"“Should the discovery of fire have been avoided because arsonists can misuse it? Any kind of information can be misused by those who are determined to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg" --- # Should the discovery of fire have been avoided because… ![“Should the discovery of fire have been avoided because arsonists can misuse it? Any kind of information can be misused by those who are determined to do so. The place to stop the misuse of knowledge is not at the point of inquiry, but at the point of misuse.” quote by Arthur R. Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg) > ““Should the discovery of fire have been avoided because arsonists can misuse it? Any kind of information can be misused by those who are determined to do so. The place to stop the misuse of knowledge is not at the point of inquiry, but at the point of misuse.”” Arthur R. Jensen ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Knowledge can be misused; preventing misuse should focus on controlling application, not limiting inquiry. **In simple terms:** Control misuse, not inquiry. Key Takeaway Promote responsible use of information. Themes knowledge ethics misuse information responsibility Mood thoughtful concerned Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - research labs - technology development - policy making Key Concepts privacy regulation education Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance knowledge freedom with safety? - What safeguards prevent misuse? A Different Perspective Over-regulation can stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [The experience in Iraq has taken away the essential trust which political leaders need before embarking on military action. It was meant to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-rees-mogg/the-experience-in-iraq-has-taken-away-the-essential-trust-which/) [Jacob Rees-Mogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-rees-mogg/) > [The senseless killing of 20 children and their teachers and principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School was not part of God's grand plan. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hamilton/the-senseless-killing-of-20-children-and-their-teachers-and-principal/) [Adam Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hamilton/) > [“If you misuse your youth, you get misery when you are old.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/if-you-misuse-your-youth-you-get-misery-when-you-are-old/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [In addition, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act provides protection for those in the firearms industry from lawsuits arising out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ney/in-addition-the-protection-of-lawful-commerce-in-arms-act-provides/) [Bob Ney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ney/) > [Almost all scholarly research carries practical and political implications. Better that we should spell these out ourselves than leave that task to people with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-coontz/almost-all-scholarly-research-carries-practical-and-political/) [Stephanie Coontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-coontz/) > [Governments will always misuse the machinery of the law as far as the state of public opinion permits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-capouya/governments-will-always-misuse-the-machinery-of-the-law-as-far-as-the/) Emile Capouya > [I ... must continue to strive for more knowledge and more power, though the new knowledge always contradicts the old and the new power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-must-continue-to-strive-for-more-knowledge-and-more-power-though/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [If some want to misuse the generosity of our nation, and re-examine what was previously examined, they should know the fire of the anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-ahmadinejad/if-some-want-to-misuse-the-generosity-of-our-nation-and-re-examine/) [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-ahmadinejad/) > [In many instances, LSD actually produced terrifying and deleterious effects instead of beneficial effects, because of misuse, because it was a profanation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-hofmann/in-many-instances-lsd-actually-produced-terrifying-and-deleterious/) [Albert Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-hofmann/) > [“What constitutes misuse of the universe? This question can be answered in one word: greed…. Greed constitutes the most grievous wrong. LAURENTI MAGESA, African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-ryan/what-constitutes-misuse-of-the-universe-this-question-can-be-answered/) [Christopher Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-ryan/) > [As science is more and more subject to grave misuse as well as to use for human benefit it has also become the scientist's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-science-is-more-and-more-subject-to-grave-misuse-as-well-as-to-use/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ They \[leaders in Western Europe\] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-misuse-financial-instruments/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [It's special, grandparents and grandchldren. So much simpler. Is it always so, I wonder? I think perhaps it is. While one's child takes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/it-s-special-grandparents-and-grandchldren-so-much-simpler-is-it/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [we are beginning to understand that this instinct of sex which has been so great a cause of suffering and shame and has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maude-royden/we-are-beginning-to-understand-that-this-instinct-of-sex-which-has/) [Maude Royden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maude-royden/) > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More Fire quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“I locked the door and turned on the water to fill the tub. I made it so hot that I had to get in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-crandall/i-locked-the-door-and-turned-on-the-water-to-fill-the-tub-i-made-it/) [Susan Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-crandall/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [“Nothing is ever lost nor can be lost; the body aged, sluggish,cold… the embers left from earlier fires shall dully flame again”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/nothing-is-ever-lost-nor-can-be-lost-the-body-aged-sluggish-cold-the/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [Tonight I feel like a prisoner on fire, waiting desperately... denied, sentenced forever more. Only your love can set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/tonight-i-feel-like-a-prisoner-on-fire-waiting-desperately-denied/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [There are different kinds of fire; there is false fire. No one knows this better than we do, but we are not such fools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-booth/there-are-different-kinds-of-fire-there-is-false-fire-no-one-knows/) [William Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-booth/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [War is like a fire. One man may start it, but it will spread all over. It is not about one thing in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-like-a-fire-one-man-may-start-it-but-it-will-spread-all-over/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Carrying that lumber the forty meters from the forest had left his knuckles blistered, his underarms sopping, but now a few hours of flames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-marra/carrying-that-lumber-the-forty-meters-from-the-forest-had-left-his/) [Anthony Marra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-marra/) > [May nothing entice me till I happily make my way to Jesus Christ! Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-antioch/may-nothing-entice-me-till-i-happily-make-my-way-to-jesus-christ-fire/) [Ignatius of Antioch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-antioch/) > [AHHHHHH! Goyle has set the bloody place on fire! -Ron Weasley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ahhhhhh-goyle-has-set-the-bloody-place-on-fire-ron-weasley/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 8,652 Fire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Should the discovery of fire have been avoided because arsonists can misuse it? Any kind of information can be misused by those who are determined to do so. The place to stop the misuse of knowledge is not at the point of inquiry, but at the point of misuse.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arthur R. Jensen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-r-jensen/should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-avoided-because-arsonists-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-r-jensen/should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-avoided-because-arsonists-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/215/arthur-r-jensen-220957_fire_should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-a_3033553.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Should the discovery of fire have been avoided because arsonists can misuse it? Any kind of information can…” — Arthur R. Jensen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Arthur R. Jensen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-r-jensen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Should the discovery of fire have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-r-jensen/should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-avoided-because-arsonists-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-r-jensen/should-the-discovery-of-fire-have-been-avoided-because-arsonists-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```