Afraid Quote by José Eduardo Agualusa
““One day', he said, 'the King of the Butterflies sent an emissary to discover the nature of fire. Some time later the emissary returned, saying that he had discovered fire, that he had found it a volatile, enraged substance, and that he had been too afraid to get any closer. So a second emissary set off, who soon returned exhausted, half mad, his wings singed, but the King was still not satisfied and sent his own son off, telling him not to return until he had discovered what fire really is. The son set off, but never returned. The King was satisfied — his son had discovered the true nature of fire.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The King of the Butterflies” in The Book of Disquiet, 2015
The king’s obsession with understanding fire leads to sacrifice, showing how relentless pursuit of knowledge can demand personal loss.
In simple terms: Seeking truth may cost dearly.
Key Takeaway
Accept that some quests have high personal costs.
Themes
knowledge
sacrifice
authority
curiosity
Mood
thoughtful
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- exploration
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
existentialism
mythic allegory
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the ethical limits of scientific inquiry?
- When does curiosity become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Blind pursuit can ignore ethical limits and human cost.
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