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Ask questions Quote by C.S. Lewis

“He was very interested in everything that lay to the North because no one ever went that way and he was never allowed to go there himself. When he was sitting out of doors mending the nets, and all alone, he would often look eagerly to the North. One could see nothing but a grassy slope running up…” quote by C.S. Lewis
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““He was very interested in everything that lay to the North because no one ever went that way and he was never allowed to go there himself. When he was sitting out of doors mending the nets, and all alone, he would often look eagerly to the North. One could see nothing but a grassy slope running up to a level ridge and beyond that the sky with perhaps a few birds in it. Sometimes if Arsheesh was there Shasta would say, 'O my Father, what is there beyond that hill?' And then if the fisherman was in a bad temper he would box Shasta's ears and tell him to attend to his work. Or if he was in a peaceable mood he would say, "O my son, do not allow your mind to be distracted by idle questions. For one of the poets has said, 'Application to business is the root of prosperity, but those who ask questions that do not concern them are steering the ship of folly towards the rock of indigence'. Shasta thought that beyond the hill there must be some delightful secret which his father wished to hide from him. In reality, however, the fisherman talked like this because he didn't know what lay to the North. Neither did he care. He had a very practical mind.””

C.S. Lewis

About This Quote

A fisherman’s curiosity about the unknown North reflects human longing for mystery, while his father’s practical admonition warns against idle speculation.

In simple terms: Curiosity vs. practicality.

Key Takeaway

Mystery drives imagination, but practicality can suppress it.

Themes

Curiosity Mystery Practicality Generational advice

Mood

Thoughtful Melancholic

Type

Parable Dialogue

When to use this quote

  • Teaching children about exploration
  • Balancing creative thinking with work tasks

Key Concepts

Human yearning for the unknown

Practical Applications

  • Encourage questioning while setting realistic goals

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the 'North' symbolize for you?
  • When should curiosity be tempered by practicality?
A Different Perspective

Dismissal of curiosity may stifle innovation and personal growth.

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