Curiosity Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Maximes, 1668
Curiosity can stem from useful interest or from boastful pride to appear knowledgeable.
In simple terms: Curiosity is either helpful or prideful.
Key Takeaway
Seek knowledge for usefulness, not vanity.
Themes
knowledge
pride
motivation
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- personal growth
- social interactions
Key Concepts
human nature
ego
learning
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your curiosity serve you?
- When does pride drive your learning?
A Different Perspective
Prideful curiosity may alienate others.
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
![“[T]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. [...] The point is, perhaps, that I am not looking for a verbal answer, just as when I ask for a kiss, I do not want a piece of paper with "A kiss" written on it. It is rather that metaphysical wonder looks…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/705/alan-w-watts-9497_curiosity_t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no_3984.jpg)
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
