--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is nothing so carking as the pangs…" description: "\"There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied curiosity.\" — Gertrude Atherton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg" --- # There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied… ![“There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied curiosity.” quote by Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg) > “There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied curiosity.” [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unmet curiosity creates a lingering, painful tension that drives people to seek answers, often feeling like a deep, unsettling ache. **In simple terms:** Curiosity left unfulfilled is distressing. Key Takeaway Unanswered questions cause discomfort. Themes psychological tension human motivation knowledge seeking emotional discomfort Mood restless intrigued anxious Type aphoristic philosophical When to use this quote - research dead‑ends - creative brainstorming - personal learning gaps Key Concepts curiosity unsatisfaction psychological pain Practical Applications - Identify knowledge gaps to prioritize inquiry - Use curiosity as a catalyst for problem‑solving Questions to Reflect On - What does this discomfort reveal about my priorities? - How can I channel this tension into productive action? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) ## Related quotes > [That's what makes death so hard--unsatisfied curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/that-s-what-makes-death-so-hard-unsatisfied-curiosity/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [You're only a beginner; and what you think is love, and interest, and all that, is not real love at all: three quarters of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/you-re-only-a-beginner-and-what-you-think-is-love-and-interest-and/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [I don't have any pangs to where I want to be with the Broncos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elway/i-don-t-have-any-pangs-to-where-i-want-to-be-with-the-broncos/) [John Elway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elway/) > [“Don't show a friend your gift, or your bag of money if you still want to maintain your relationship, but if nay, go on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/don-t-show-a-friend-your-gift-or-your-bag-of-money-if-you-still-want/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [“Who knows how great are the secret pangs of conscience?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publius-syrus/who-knows-how-great-are-the-secret-pangs-of-conscience/) [Publius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publius-syrus/) > [“The day arrived,when myriad teary rivers flow and the muted wind faintly died in his tears—an altar for the beloved one's departure,for sister-hood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nithin-purple/the-day-arrived-when-myriad-teary-rivers-flow-and-the-muted-wind/) [Nithin Purple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nithin-purple/) > [During a color consultation, I like to reference food as a visual. Hot fudge and orange marmalade paint a clearer picture and helps prevent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabatha-coffey/during-a-color-consultation-i-like-to-reference-food-as-a-visual-hot/) [Tabatha Coffey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabatha-coffey/) > [I’ve always wanted to be liked. It grieved me that I was treated with indifference. Left an orphan by Fortune, I wanted—like all orphans—to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-liked-it-grieved-me-that-i-was-treated-with/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [I was studying the impacts of fishing on ocean life, while the places that I loved so much continued to decline: less and smaller…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enric-sala/i-was-studying-the-impacts-of-fishing-on-ocean-life-while-the-places/) [Enric Sala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enric-sala/) > [In some ways, I don’t feel as if I had a choice. Looking back at my childhood, even before I could read and write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/in-some-ways-i-don-t-feel-as-if-i-had-a-choice-looking-back-at-my/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [We are born with a lingering hunger We are born to be unsatisfied We are strangers who can't help but wander And dream about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichole-nordeman/we-are-born-with-a-lingering-hunger-we-are-born-to-be-unsatisfied-we/) [Nichole Nordeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichole-nordeman/) > [There are a few versions of the Alexander movie on video, only two that matter. One is from 2007, and then the one from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/there-are-a-few-versions-of-the-alexander-movie-on-video-only-two/) [Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/) > [ \[The sceptic\] must acknowledge, if he will acknowledge any thing, that all human life must perish, were his principles to prevail.All discourse, all action… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/the-sceptic-must-acknowledge-if-he-will-acknowledge-any-thing-that/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [You can give men food and leisure and amusements and good conditions of work, and still they will remain unsatisfied. You can deny them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dawson/you-can-give-men-food-and-leisure-and-amusements-and-good-conditions/) [Christopher Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dawson/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More by Gertrude Atherton > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [The world, and the great and free United States in particular, is full of narrow-minded, ignorant, moronic, bigoted, cowardly, self-righteous, anemic, pig-headed, stupid, puritanical,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-world-and-the-great-and-free-united-states-in-particular-is-full/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Men are not amusing during the shooting season; but, after all, my dear, men were not especially designed to amuse women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/men-are-not-amusing-during-the-shooting-season-but-after-all-my-dear/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [genius must ever be imperfect. Life is not long enough nor slow enough for both brain and character to grow side by side to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/genius-must-ever-be-imperfect-life-is-not-long-enough-nor-slow-enough/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [the best of all good friends is pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-best-of-all-good-friends-is-pride/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [The final result of too much routine is death in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-final-result-of-too-much-routine-is-death-in-life/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Self-admiration giveth much consolation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/self-admiration-giveth-much-consolation/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Fame compensates for a column of wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/fame-compensates-for-a-column-of-wants/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [If you can't get the very best in this world, take nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/if-you-can-t-get-the-very-best-in-this-world-take-nothing/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [No country can reach a high stage of civilization without a leisure class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/no-country-can-reach-a-high-stage-of-civilization-without-a-leisure/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [... France is the genius among nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/france-is-the-genius-among-nations/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [The world changed somewhat in form during its progress, but never in substance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-world-changed-somewhat-in-form-during-its-progress-but-never-in/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [... the irony of life is not that you cannot forget but that you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-irony-of-life-is-not-that-you-cannot-forget-but-that-you-can/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [ \[Alexander\] Hamilton estimated portrait painters as thieves of time. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/alexander-hamilton-estimated-portrait-painters-as-thieves-of-time/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [The French are a race of individuals. There is no type.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-french-are-a-race-of-individuals-there-is-no-type/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) [Explore all 74 Gertrude Atherton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) ## More Curiosity quotes > [I'm a strange mixture of my mother's curiosity; my father, who grew up the son of the manse in a Presbyterian family, who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/i-m-a-strange-mixture-of-my-mother-s-curiosity-my-father-who-grew-up/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [“Metal makes everything magical. Just ask a unicorn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybrina-durant/metal-makes-everything-magical-just-ask-a-unicorn/) [Sybrina Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sybrina-durant/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Curiosity Can Kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anison/curiosity-can-kill/) [Anison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anison/) > [“So curious you must be. Like little calves poking their heads through the fence with big eyes and a headful of curiosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carew-papritz/so-curious-you-must-be-like-little-calves-poking-their-heads-through/) [Carew Papritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carew-papritz/) > [ “\[T\]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. \[...\] The point is, perhaps, that I am not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no-meaning-even-though-it-seems/) [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) > [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Be curious not judge mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/be-curious-not-judge-mental/) Unknow > [Curiosity is the essence of human existence. 'Who are we? Where are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?'... I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/curiosity-is-the-essence-of-human-existence-who-are-we-where-are-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes curiosity is a poison, not only for those who drink it but for everyone around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-norman-lippert/sometimes-curiosity-is-a-poison-not-only-for-those-who-drink-it-but/) [G. Norman Lippert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-norman-lippert/) > [As long as your curiosity is greater than your fear, you will move forward!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/as-long-as-your-curiosity-is-greater-than-your-fear-you-will-move/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it sure has earned a lot of people graduate degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-irving/curiosity-may-have-killed-the-cat-but-it-sure-has-earned-a-lot-of/) Robyn Irving > [“Curiosity killed the cat, but not before teaching her that honey bees are not sweet, tweeting birds are slow to react, mice can serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/curiosity-killed-the-cat-but-not-before-teaching-her-that-honey-bees/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) [Browse all 2,721 Curiosity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied curiosity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gertrude Atherton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs-of-unsatisfied-curiosity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Curiosity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs-of-unsatisfied-curiosity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/gertrude-atherton-9180_curiosity_there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs_5777.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied curiosity.” — Gertrude Atherton", "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": "Gertrude Atherton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is nothing so carking as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs-of-unsatisfied-curiosity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs-of-unsatisfied-curiosity/#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 } } ] } ```